Planning of Operation Support Facility for the ALMA Observatory, Chile
Whereas the radio telescope of the astronomic project Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) in the Atacama Desert is located at an altitude of 5000 m, the Operation Support Facility (OSF) with assembly hangar, control center, laboratories and offices is 30 km away downhill at 2900 m. For this OSF site, Fichtner undertook conceptual engineering, layout planning, execution planning and detailed engineering, prepared the tender documents and undertook project tracking for all components of this facility, which is one of the biggest and foremost astronomic control centers of the world.
Our services
- Soil exploration and topographical survey
- Conceptual design and preliminary planning
- Detail engineering
- Drawing up tender documents
- Site supervision
- Project monitoring
Technical data
- Stores and workshops: 2,600 m²
- Antenna servicing: 1,500 m²
- Laboratory and operating facilities: 3,500 m²
- Transporter servicing: 600 m²
- Gatehouse area: 120 m²