THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES OF SCIENCES, ENGINEERING, AND MEDICINE
Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences
Board on Infrastructure and the Constructed Environment
Committee on Analysis of Causes of Failure and Collapse of the 305-Meter Telescope
at the Arecibo Observatory
*****
Congressional Briefing
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 – 11:30 a.m.
via Zoom
on
Failure Analysis of the Arecibo Observatory 305-Meter Telescope Collapse
In 2020, the National Science Foundation's telescope at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico collapsed, impacting the work of the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center.
This new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine analyzes the causes of the collapse through extensive review of prior forensic investigations, information gathering from employees at Arecibo Observatory, study of relevant research, consultations with other experts, and examination of structural analyses, engineering plans, inspection reports, photographs, and repair proposals. This report presents lessons learned and makes recommendations to help ensure the safe operation of other unique, critical science facilities.
This briefing was for members of Congress and congressional staff only. The report was publicly released on October 25, 2024 and can be found, in its entirety, on the Web site of the National Academies Press.