The last of KMOS leaves Edinburgh

Today, the final parts of KMOS left the UK ATC for their journey by air to Chile. The Cable Rotator left back in mid-July when I was still out there, and now the cryogenic unit has left too. But both deliveries will arrive at roughly the same time as the first went by boat - a 6 week journey.

There were 2 large lorries on site to pick up the 21 (!) boxes and take them on their journey to the airport.

A tight fit for the lorry through the gates!

One of the many boxes ready to go

Inside these various boxes are a selection of electrical cabinets, electrical and mechanical components, pipes, pumps, documents and manuals to name but a few things. And, of course, the cryostat itself - this box weighing in at a whopping 3.7 tonnes!

On Sunday, 3 of the UK ATC team will head out to Chile too, for at least 6 weeks, to test the instrument after its journey, put it all back together and to be there to fit it to the telescope.

The guys heading out are Alasdair Fairley, Project Manager; Phil Rees, systems engineer; and George Davidson, Technician. Out at Paranal, they will be joined by 2 electrical engineers and 1 software engineer from Germany and a mechanical engineer from Durham.

Some of those on the KMOS team