[Rockhounds] Arecibo collapse

[J. R. Hodel]

Amazing video. Lucky no one was killed, that receiver was 900 tons... 18,000 lbs. 
A tragic loss, it was capable of deep space radar to detect incoming objects, that capability is lost now. Plus the pure science, Nobel prize level science.
There was a older radio-telescope with a steerable dish at Greenbank that collapsed, fortunately funding was available to build a new one. The older one that collapsed lasted many years past it's intended lifespan. The new one is considerably advanced in ability, built of material intended to last much longer.