On August 26, last three 7-m antennas manufactured by Japan were shipped to Chile from an assembly plant in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. The road in front of the plant was closed at midnight for antenna transport. The three antennas, divided into three parts (main reflector, receiver cabin, and mount), were carried by a trailer carefully under the escort of two security vehicles in front and behind.

The antennas were loaded into a cargo ship at the Port of Kobe from September 8 through 9, and will arrive at the Port of Mejillones in Northern Chile in early October after one-month journey across the Pacific Ocean.

The main reflector of the 7-m antenna being transported from the plant to the port at midnight. [Photographed by Masaaki Hiramatsu (NAOJ)]

Three 7-m antennas loaded on the bottom of the ship. The picture shows the main reflectors (front) and mounts (back). [Photographed by Toshitaka Yamazaki (NAOJ)]