Failure Analysis of the Arecibo Observatory 305-Meter Telescope Collapse (2024)
Chapter: Appendix B: Information-Gathering Activities
B
Information-Gathering Activities
JANUARY 24–25, 2022: OPEN SESSIONS (VIRTUAL)
Basis of Study National Science Foundation (NSF)
Jim Ulvestad, Senior Advisor for Research Security, NSF
Joy Pauschke, Ph.D., P.E., Program Director, Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation, Directorate for Engineering, NSF
Briefing from NSF on the NSF Study Grant Intentions
Jim Ulvestad, Senior Advisor for Research Security, NSF
NSF Facility Oversight
Matt Hawkins, Head, Large Facilities Office, NSF
Linnea Avallone, Chief Officer for Research Facilities, NSF
Briefing from University of Central Florida (UCF)
Francisco Cordova, Director, U.S. National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center, UCF
Arecibo Observatory Competition and Operations and Maintenance Transition
Ralph Gaume, Division Director in the Division of Astronomical Sciences (AST), NSF
Mike Wiltberger, Deputy Director, High Altitude Observatory, National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAC), former Section Head of the Geospace Section in the Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences, NSF
Failure Event Sequence
Ashley VanderLey, Senior Advisor for Facilities, AST NSF
Jim Ulvestad, Senior Advisor for Research Security, NSF
FEBRUARY 16–17, 2022: OPEN SESSIONS (VIRTUAL)
Briefing: NESC Arecibo Observatory Auxiliary M4N Socket Termination Failure Investigation
Gregory Harrigan, Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia, United States
Azita Valinia, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, United States
Nathan Trepal, Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Florida, United States
Pavel Babuska, The Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, California, United States
Vinay Goyal, The Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, California, United States
Briefing: Wiss, Janey, Elstner Associates, Inc., Arecibo Observatory Stabilization Efforts Analysis and Auxiliary Main Cable Socket Failure Investigation
Jonathan C. McGormley, P.E., S.E., Principal, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.
Perspectives on Grant Award and Operations of Arecibo Observatory Cooperative Agreement by UCF
Ramon (Ray) Lugo III, former Director of UCF’s Florida Space Institute and Principal Investigator of the NSF contract for Operation and Maintenance of the Arecibo Observatory
Francisco Cordova, Director, U.S. National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center, UCF
Briefing: Arecibo Telescope Collapse—Forensic Investigation
John Abruzzo, P.E., LEEP AP, Managing Principal and Forensics Practice Co-Leader, Thornton Tomasetti
Liling Cao, Ph.D., P.E., LEED AP, Principal, Thornton Tomasetti
MAY 19–20, 2022: OPEN SESSIONS
SITE VISIT
ARECIBO OBSERVATORY, ARECIBO, PUERTO RICO
Observatory Tour and Inspection
Interview and Q&A with Engineering/Maintenance Staff
Supported Review of Existing Maintenance Records and Documentation On-Site, Particularly of the Cables and Sockets, and Drone Footage or Surveys of Other Cables
Post Site Inspection Q&A with Thornton Tomasetti in a Conference Room
John Abruzzo, P.E., LEEP AP, Managing Principal and Forensics Practice Co-Leader, Thornton Tomasetti
OCTOBER 26, 2022: OPEN SESSIONS
BECKMAN CENTER, IRVINE, CA
Briefing: Thornton Tomasetti Arecibo Telescope Collapse Forensic Investigation
John Abruzzo, P.E., LEEP AP, Managing Principal and Forensics Practice Co-Leader, Thornton Tomasetti
Perspectives and Discussions with Structural Engineers and Bridge Experts
David Goodyear (NAE), Chief Bridge Engineer T.Y. Lin International (retired), Consulting Structural Engineer
Karl H. Frank, Professor Emeritus, The University of Texas at Austin; Chief Engineer, Hirschfeld Industries (retired); and Consultant
