What did the Raisting radome and the earth station have to do with the 1969 moon landing and the 1972 Olympic Games?
What impact did the technology of satellite communication have on citizens in Europe and worldwide?
Curious? Well, then let’s go ́s to Raisting!
This technical miracle as well as the uniqueness is unparalleled. Our mediators allow you to learn all the exciting facts for the Raisting radome.
Not only amateur photographers romp around the radome at night, there is also a lot for astronomers to discover here. No matter what time or season, there is always something to discover here.
It was technically impossible to transmit live television pictures from overseas until the Raisting Earth Station and associated satellites and transmitters came on line with broadband technology in 1964. To see the film elsewhere, the 2-inch tape used for the VCR had to be flown by air from continent to continent.
In the years before the radome became operational, there were only 17 telephone lines from Germany to the United States.
Radom Raisting is Germany’s first commercially operated satellite ground station. The building was constructed in 1963/64 on behalf of Deutsche Bundespost. Inside, the pillarless airdome houses a parabolic antenna with a diameter of 25 meters, which was used for intercontinental radio communications (telephone and television) via news satellites until 1985. Today, the radome is owned by the district of Weilheim-Schongau.
In 1999, the radome was added to the list of monuments and received the designation “of outstanding national importance”.
Before the supporting air envelope was destroyed by storm “Bianca” on February 27, 2020, the antenna was still partially functional and was used for scientific projects until 2015.
In October 2021, the radome received a new hull, this unique monument is now open for public viewing.
From May 1, 2024 until October 27
Saturday 14:00 – 17:00
Sunday 14:00 – 17:00
Whitsun holidays
18.05. – 02.06.2024
Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 14:00 – 17:00
Summer vacation
27.07. – 09.09.2024
Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 14:00 – 17:00
Guided tours (subject to a charge*)
Participation fee for guided tours and group tours:
Adults 9,00 €
Youths (10-16 y.) 4,00 €
Children under 10 y. Free of charge
Group tours (up to 15 pers.) 120,00 €
The Rasiting radome, with antenna I hidden under the air dome, is the first large commercial antenna for civil satellite communications to be erected in Germany. And in the meantime, it is the last facility in the world to be preserved in almost its original condition.
Deutsche Bundespost and its international partners began planning in 1961. In spring 1963, construction work began on the Raisting earth station. In October 1963, the radome was inflated and then Antenna I was erected under the protective cover. The facility officially went into operation in April 1965.
The Raisting earth station was mainly used for telephone and television transmissions via satellite. In addition, technologies for ship radio and direct satellite telephony were tested and established.
Curious? Come and visit us!
Diameter: 48.80 meters
Height: 39.50 meters
Material thickness: 1.2 millimeters
Weight / area: 10.5 tons / approx. 5,300 m2
Antenna I:
Diameter: 25.00 meters
Height: 32.00 meters
Material: steel / stainless steel / aliminium
Weight / area: approx. 280 tons / approx. 500 m2
Movement: Rotate: 380 °, Pivot: -1° – + 125°.
In 2009, it was determined that the collapse of the bearing air dome could be expected at any time. In addition, the building also showed massive damage to ceilings and walls. In the years between 2010 and 2012, the identified damage was repaired by Radom Raisting GmbH, with the energetic support of numerous companies and financial support including funds from the federal government, the Free State of Bavaria and the district of Weilheim-Schongau for the protection of historical monuments.
In the winter of 2020, the supporting air shell was destroyed by the extreme storm event “Bianca” and replaced by a new supporting air shell in October 2021.
You don’t really get to see that anywhere else. So why don’t you come and visit us?
The annual operating costs amount to around €150,000.
Around one third of this is spent on energy and maintenance respectively. Restoration after the storm event will cost around €2.3 million.
What does the Raisting Radom and the earth station (or satellite earth stations…) have in common with the 1969 moon landing and the Olympic Games 1972?
What impact did the technology of satellite communication have on citizens in Europe and worldwide?
The Radom Raisting is an industrial monument and is managed by Radom Raisting GmbH. This is a 100% subsidiary of the district of Weilheim-Schongau.
From May 4, 2024
Saturday 14:00 – 17:00
Sunday 14:00 – 17:00
Additionally:
18.05. – 02.06.24 Whitsun holidays
27.07. – 09.09.2024 Summer vacation
Wednesday and Friday from – 14:00 – 17:00
Phone: 0881 681 – 1172
E-Mail: kontakt@radomraisting.com
Guided tours start in mid-March, tours possible from the beginning of May.
This website was created with a passion for details. From Content King.
Individuals can visit the radome without guided tours during our opening hours!
Group tours by appointment and reservation
Are you interested in a group tour?
You can secure your tickets by calling this number +49 881 / 681 – 1172.
We are looking forward to your visit.
Your Radom Raisting Team
