Control Building On its Way to the MRO

4 October 2011

The control building that will house ASKAPòÀÙs complex computing systems is on its way to the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory (MRO) in Western Australia.

Beginning on 4 October 2011, 13 trucks will each carry a 15-metre hi-tech steel module from Lonsdale, South Australia to outback Western Australia. The modules, which make up the control building, will be assembled on site at the MRO.

Designed to stringent requirements, the control building will be thermally efficient and will protect the telescope from radio interference (RFI) that could be generated from the complex computing systems that it will house.

The development of the specialised control building, involving a collaborative process between CSIRO, Aurecon, McConnell Dowell and Adelaide-based business Robin Johnson Engineering (RJE), has seen each organisation bring to the table their specialist capabilities to a highly technical job.

Ant Schinckel, CSIRO ASKAP Project Director, noted, "Aurecon, RJE and McConnell Dowell have done an excellent job of understanding the difficult task associated with developing such a building."

"The transport of the first modules of the ASKAP control building from the RJE manufacturing facility represents a significant milestone in the development of ASKAP."

"It is clear that these companies are fully conversant with the development of specialised buildings in remote Australian sites and we welcome their expertise."

"We look forward to the modules arriving at the site and their assembly over the coming months."

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