Space mirror transported by air

On March 27^th 2008, after four days of transportation, the largest ever space mirror transported by air was successfully delivered to the European Organization for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) on site in the mountains of the vast, dry Atacama Desert in Northern Chile. The mirror was a 4.1 diameter primary mirror, a vital part of the world`s newest and fastest survey telescope, VISTA (the Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy). 
 
Aircontact was responsible for the whole shipment, by road from Lytkarino Optical Glass Factory (LZOS) in the outskirts of Moscow to Domodedovo airport, by air with an Antonov AN124 from Polet Cargo Airlines via Capp Verde to Antofagasta, and then by road to the site at Cerro Paranal. VISTA will survey large areas of the southern sky at near infrared wavelengths, helping our understanding of the nature and distribution and origin of known types of stars and galaxies.

The Russian manufacturer LZOS spent over 4 years polishing and preparing the mirror, so it was no room for error. With a 2 year international tendering process with focus on capability and previous experience to carry out such a sensitive and prestigious transportation, Aircontact was selected as contractor by the principal The Royal Observatory in UK. Aircontact representatives went several times to Moscow to coordinate with all of the contractors, and of course on-site supervision was provided from start to finish.