Inside the Radome
The 340 ton antenna inside the radome was used to receive the signals from the TELSTAR satellite. It's no longer operational but is used in a sound and light show for the museum.

The construction shelter
The construction shelter was used during assembly of the antenna. It was then replaced with the permanent radome. The strange blister on the side is over 50 ft. in diameter and fit over the end of the antenna while the radome was being installed.

Age of the Radome
In the fall of 1998 samples were cut from the 36 year old radome and tested in the laboratory. The results showed that it was still in good condition.

What supports the Radome
The radome doesn't have any framework to interfere with the microwave signal but instead is made of a high strength, flexible coated fabric held up with a very small amount of air pressure. The pressure is normally about the same as a baby could blow or equal to that in a soda straw with 1-2 inches of water. It is automatically increased with higher winds. On two occasions the radome at Pleumeur Bodou has withstood winds of over 100 mph (which tore apart nearby buildings).

Click on left picture to e-mail any comments.

Click on the picture below, showing the radome being installed over the construction shelter, for more info on the Telstar Radome.

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