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A ‘heartbreaking’ sight

Aerial view showing extensive damage to the large radar dish, as well as the position of the fallen instrument platform. The collapse also ripped off the tops of the three support towers.
Aerial view showing extensive damage to the large radar dish, as well as the position of the fallen instrument platform. The collapse also ripped off the tops of the three support towers. Image: Ricardo Arduengo/AFP via Getty Images (Getty Images)

“We knew this was a possibility, but it is still heartbreaking to see,” Elizabeth Klonoff, vice president for research at the University of Central Florida, which manages the facility for the NSF, told UCF Today.

The 900-ton instrument platform fell onto the dish below and can be seen lying on the side of the structure. It appears that the platform did not fall straight down but swung at an angle, which makes sense, given that a failed wire from one of the three support towers triggered the collapse.

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