When Dinosaurs Roamed the Earth...
9 September 2005
'The Bronto' extends Canberra's reach into space
The Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC) has taken charge of a massive 70-metre crane that will help antenna workers reach new heights and access areas of the antenna dishes with greater ease and safety.

Built in Finland by Bronto Skylift, the 70-metre 'S70 MDT' arrived onsite last week and immediately became the center of attention. Cameras clicked as the massive 25-tonne vehicle lumbered into the Tidbinbilla valley. A brilliant blue sky and warm sunshine lit up the bright yellow cab and glinted off the large white crane emblazoned along its length with the name of the Canberra Complex.

Selection and testing of the vehicle had taken place over nearly a year to find a vehicle that would suit the specific needs of the CDSCC and work well under Australian conditions.

Bronto Skylift's are found worldwide in a range of uses from rescue and firefighting to industrial applications. Vehicles such as the 'S70 MDT' are capable of lifting up to 440 kilograms to heights of 70-metres. Other models can go even higher.

CDSCC personnel took advantage of the Bronto's arrival to continue training and familiarisation with this new 'tool' that will allow a greater freedom of access and ease of maintenance to the Big Dish - Deep Space Station 43.

The Bronto's reach can not only take it up to but over the edge of the main antenna dish. At the end of the crane is an extension arm, which can be angled to reach various areas while keeping the working platform horizontal. At full stretch the platform is nearly level with the antenna's subreflector.

From ground-level, station staff had to strain their necks skyward as their fellow workers seemingly disappeared into space. Some joked that the people on the platform should probably get astronaut wings when they returned to Earth.

Putting the Bronto through its paces, teams trained in preparing the vehicle for 'lift-off' (the truck literally is lifted off the ground when the hydraulically driven, stablising legs are put in place), manoeuvring the crane to its full height, flexing the extension arm, and precision driving the platform to areas on the underside of the main dish.

The Bronto and operating team performed perfectly, and so was christened a new vehicle for going where none had gone before.

Article by Glen Nagle - CDSCC Education & Outreach Manager with contributions from Bill Dobie - Antenna Support Leader, and information from the Bronto website.