The Ultimate Challenge: Transporting the World's Largest Telescope

🌌The Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile is the largest and most powerful telescope in the world, located 5,000 meters above sea level.

☁️The extreme working conditions at high altitudes include low oxygen levels, extreme temperatures, and high wind speeds.

💪Transporting the antennas is a complex and expensive task due to their size, value, and the need for millimeter precision.

⌛The team must complete the transport within an eight-hour time window to mitigate risks and potential damages caused by the harsh environment.

🚧Safety is a top priority, and decisions are based on weather conditions and the well-being of the workers.

What is the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA)?

—ALMA is the world's largest and most powerful telescope, located in the Chilean Andes at an altitude of 5,000 meters.

What are the challenges of transporting the antennas?

—The challenges include extreme weather conditions, low oxygen levels, high operating costs, and the need for precision engineering.

How long does the team have to complete the transport?

—The team has an eight-hour time window to complete the transport and minimize risks caused by the harsh environment.

What is the value of the antennas being transported?

—Each antenna costs approximately 10 million euros, making the transport job both complex and expensive.

What are the safety measures taken in the extreme working conditions?

—Safety measures include regular medical checks, UV protection, and individual oxygen tanks for the workers.

00:01Chile is home to the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA), the world's largest and most powerful telescope located at an altitude of 5,000 meters.

04:28ALMA operates in extreme weather conditions with low temperatures and high wind speeds.

08:09Transporting the antennas is a challenging task that requires precision engineering and is both complex and expensive.

11:30The transport team faces risks due to the extreme weather, low oxygen levels, and high-altitude working conditions.

15:19Worker safety is a top priority, and decisions are made based on weather conditions and the well-being of the team.