The dish of the new Deep Space Station 36 is being installed at the Canberra Deep Space Network centre today, and it’s happening live on Twitter. These photos are a geeky dream to watch.
It was a beautiful start at the Canberra Deep Space Network centre. The sun peeking over DSS35, the last tracker to be installed, was a sight to behold…
Spectacular dawn with #DSS35. pic.twitter.com/6QnNtNNoH8
— CanberraDSN (@CanberraDSN) August 19, 2015
The Canberra DSN team tried to hoist the 125 metric tonne-dish into position yesterday, but issues with the monster crane prevented it from taking place.
That’s a scrub for today. Sensor feedback from the crane not operating correctly. Team will work the issue and try again tomorrow. #BIGLIFT
— CanberraDSN (@CanberraDSN) August 19, 2015
A quick timelapse showing how far we got with today’s #BIGLIFT. The crane in place, load taken but then SCRUB! pic.twitter.com/pD5M8yIxD9
— CanberraDSN (@CanberraDSN) August 19, 2015
The work started from 5:30am AEST this morning.
#BIGLIFT #DSS36 staff watching on.#DSS43 in the background. pic.twitter.com/PGQy5uVPPW
— CanberraDSN (@CanberraDSN) August 19, 2015
Ok I just had to be the first to do this one. #BIGLIFT #DSS36 pic.twitter.com/Tq7DoAaiNl
— Astro0 (@Astro0Glen) August 19, 2015
And it was on! The crane started the lift…
Any moment now. Just heard the radio call for the #BIGLIFT #DSS36. Cam: http://t.co/6gINzwebUF pic.twitter.com/3h8pMk5nuu
— CanberraDSN (@CanberraDSN) August 19, 2015
Slow and steady…
#BIGLIFT #DSS36 inching its way up. A slow and careful process. pic.twitter.com/t4uwbFVINA
— CanberraDSN (@CanberraDSN) August 19, 2015
#BIGLIFT #DSS36 reflector off the ground now pic.twitter.com/0EKSIRqgXe
— CanberraDSN (@CanberraDSN) August 19, 2015
The team put a webcam stream up so the NASA folk could watch!
That’s 125 tonnes of beautiful dish in motion. Webcam: http://t.co/6gINzwebUF pic.twitter.com/lAuAuAIlex
— CanberraDSN (@CanberraDSN) August 19, 2015
Once the lift was done, the swing over the station had to start…
#BIGLIFT #DSS36 stop lifting & now to swing over to the top of ant structure. pic.twitter.com/cXSdu8QTK2
— CanberraDSN (@CanberraDSN) August 19, 2015
Getting closer #BIGLIFT #DSS36 pic.twitter.com/kxpuRpX5Y4
— CanberraDSN (@CanberraDSN) August 19, 2015
The crew had to be so careful installing it…
This is where the precision comes into play. #DSS36 needs to be placed with millimetre accuracy. pic.twitter.com/O74osAqeTJ
— CanberraDSN (@CanberraDSN) August 19, 2015
#BIGLIFT #DSS36 oh so close. pic.twitter.com/eLgHHVI6gw
— CanberraDSN (@CanberraDSN) August 19, 2015
Once it was on the base, contractors on cherry-pickers worked to secure the dish
#BIGLIFT #DSS36 we can hear the bolts being rattled gunned in.
— CanberraDSN (@CanberraDSN) August 19, 2015
#BIGLIFT #DSS36 still waiting 4 all the bolts to be put in place. pic.twitter.com/gisSft88T5
— CanberraDSN (@CanberraDSN) August 19, 2015
Work progresses as we write this, and the crane is still holding onto the dish, juuust in case.
#BIGLIFT #DSS36 still working hard to ensure reflector is secure before the crane ‘lets go’. pic.twitter.com/j9gznuoWjX
— CanberraDSN (@CanberraDSN) August 19, 2015
#BIGLIFT #DSS36 the crane will release the straps later today. Lifting quad will take place this afternoon. http://t.co/6gINzwebUF
— CanberraDSN (@CanberraDSN) August 20, 2015
Good work, Canberra DSN team, and thanks for the photos!
Top image: NASA