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Radio Astronomy and Radio Telescopes
On this page is a short selection of radio telescopes with which we have worked. All photographs were taken by Robert Allen in the course of his work and all rights to their use are retained by him. Please do not use without permission.
VLA Radio Telescope, Magdalena, New Mexico
Over the past 30 years Robert and Allen Technology have provided support for a variety of projects world-wide. Pursuing an early interest in radio astronomy, Robert sought and found employment that would provide an avenue for work within the professional astronomy research sphere. As an employee of Electrospace Systems of Richardson, Texas, Robert provided field engineering support during the installation and commissioning of the Very Large Array (VLA) Radio Telescope.
Antenna In Assembly Building
Robert installed, brought to life and performed acceptance testing of the motion control and positioning systems on seventeen of the twenty-eight telescopes at the remote location. He also performed subsequent upgrades and other support functions on these systems. The picture at left shows one of the telescopes in the assembly building with the transporter (red machine) parked beneath it - yes, they are portable! Note the van and pick-up truck for scale.
Although the structure of each antenna was assembled inside the "barn", by the time it was ready for cables and electronic gear it had to be moved to an outside location to allow for work on the next one to begin. This was often cold, bone numbing work on the high Plains of St. Augustine! You worked hard to get the cables installed so that you could fire up the electronics cabinets - for warmth!
Visit the VLA web site to learn more about this wonderful instrument!
Control Console At Jodrell Bank, (c. 1982)
Work on radio telescope installations around the world has continued at times since completion of the VLA project. And in addition to astronomical applications, Robert and Allen Technology have also supported many other large antennae installations around the world for customers including NASA, US Air Force Space Command, the SETI Institute's Project Phoenix, and numerous telecommunications sites.
The picture at right shows the 250-foot dish at Jodrell Bank, Macclesfield UK, from the perspective of the operator's console. This picture was taken during a visit in 1982. For many years this was the largest fully steerable dish in the world. And it is still inservice today, after many refits, upgrades and refurbishings!
Radio Telescope NASA Kauai, Hawaii, 1993
This is an antenna operated by NASA on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. It was constructed in 1992-1993 during and immediately after the passing of hurricane Iniki. At the time the island was still stripped nearly bare of vegetation - particularly at the higher altitudes where this site was located! Winds there were measured at 160 mph. It was an other-worldly scene! But the view from the sub-reflector was terrific!
