An article about three Bay Area hikes explores the legacy of The Dish, SRI’s legendary (and fully operational) radio telescope.
Dominating a hill west of the Stanford University campus, SRI’s radio telescope — known simply as “The Dish” — has become a prominent landmark for area residents seeking a quick stroll.
As SRI director of applied technology Jeffrey Casper explained to The Mercury News, the telescope isn’t just a hiking destination or a historical relic.
Built in 1961, the 150-foot-wide installation was the largest moving radio telescope in the United States at the time. Today, the telescope remains operational. It continues to help universities regain contact with small cube satellites, for example. Recently, it has also played a role in retaining U.S. access to the L5 radio frequency, which is important for aircraft, vehicle, and smartphone positioning systems.
Read more about the history of The Dish.
