Orgov Radio-Optical Telescope, Radio telescope in Orgov, Armenia
The Orgov Radio-Optical Telescope is an observation facility in the Armenian mountains with a large antenna dish and additional mirror arrangements for space research. The combination enables simultaneous observations across different spectral ranges.
The facility was planned in the 1970s under the direction of an Armenian physicist and built over the following decade. The project emerged from a radiophysics institute and shaped Soviet space technology of that era.
The facility represents Armenian achievements in space technology and reflects the work of engineers who developed local expertise in antenna design. Visitors can observe how the installation integrates into the mountain landscape and the role it plays in the scientific community.
The site sits in high mountain terrain between two villages and is best accessed during clear weather. Roads leading to the facility may vary in condition depending on the season.
The facility was long among the world's most powerful instruments for tracking space probes and intercepting interplanetary communications. This capability made it a key element in early space-monitoring operations.
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