Massive UCF-managed Arecibo telescope collapses in Puerto Rico

[FlyingPenguin]

Well so much for any hope of making repairs. Looks like the cables broke or one of the towers collapsed today and the the receiver assembly fell into the dish.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/space/o ... story.html

[Losbot]

From the previous article, it sure seemed like it wasn't going to last much longer. That's a damn shame though. I wonder if they'll consider rebuilding a better version.

[Pugsley]

I blame the Secret Service!

[FlyingPenguin]

[Err]

I hope we build a new one.

[FlyingPenguin]

CCTV caught the collapse. It was a cable.

[Pugsley]

What I don't get is that after the first cable broke why did they not lower the receiver to the floor to reduce weight?

[FlyingPenguin]

There was a drone examining the cables, when let go. I can't imagine the drone itself triggered it. It must have been right on the verge.

[Losbot]

What I don't get is that after the first cable broke why did they not lower the receiver to the floor to reduce weight?

I was wondering the same thing.

[FlyingPenguin]

They couldn't, from what I read. When the first cable broke, it was on the verse of collapse. Starting the motors would have probably set it off anyway.

That drone was sent up to survey the extent of the damage and try to figure out a safe way to decommission it.

[Pugsley]

I have now seen the drone footage of it failing. One of the existing cables was damaged and gave way right as the drone was looking at it.