杏吧原创

鈥淚 鈥榞o nomad鈥� all over the place, but it鈥檚 with these machines that I聽feel at home鈥� (Image: Kate Davies/Unknown Fields)

How did you get to drive these behemoths?
I started operating simple machines like front loaders and mining trucks 10 years ago. Then I got a degree in heavy-duty mechanics and went on to work as a mechanic on ALMA鈥檚 two transporters, Otto and Lore. They are 20 metres long, 10 metres wide and weigh 130 tonnes. After two years I was promoted to operator. Four of us do all the repairs and maintenance of the machines.

You work high up in Chile鈥檚 Atacama desert. What tasks do the transporters typically do?
ALMA has 66 dish antennas, each 12 metres in diameter and weighing over 100 tonnes. We recently picked the last one up from the operations support facility at 2900 metres altitude. We loaded the antenna in the morning and drove 28 kilometres to the Chajnantor plateau at 5000 metres altitude, to complete the array. It took 7 hours, partly because we can only go at 5 kilometres per hour when laden, and partly because we had a hydraulic leak that needed fixing along the way. We have placed the antennas in a long-base configuration for now, with the outermost ones in the array 16 kilometres away from each other.

How do you control these complex vehicles?
Each one has 11 computers on board, four of them purely for the very sophisticated steering system. The transporter is U-shaped and has 14 pairs of tyres, and the computers need to know the relative angles and heights of the axles, the slope of the road and whether there鈥檚 an antenna being carried. I can also stand outside the transporter and operate it by remote control when I need a different view.

(Image: Kate Davies/Unknown Fields)

What鈥檚 it like working with such a machine?
I feel very connected to it, like with my motorcycle. I鈥檓 used to its noises, smells and reactions. When something is wrong I can sense it. You build up a relationship with what should be, and you notice right away when it鈥檚 not doing what it鈥檚 supposed to. It reminds me of a living thing, with 1200 litres of hydraulic fluid instead of blood.

Do you know how much the antennas cost?
I have no idea 鈥� that would just be more stress. They are really delicate, expensive things, so you have to be very careful and focused. For me, trying not to think too much works best.

Does the altitude cause you problems?
No, I鈥檓 used to it. I move a lot, up and down ladders, getting tools, helping the other guys. The back of the driver鈥檚 seat is designed to allow me to wear an oxygen tank, but I don鈥檛 because it鈥檚 uncomfortable and I鈥檝e never felt any ill effects.

How do you unwind in this remote outpost?
During the week, I play music mainly. I鈥檓 a drummer. We have a rehearsal room and I go over there and practise most nights. When I get time off I live on my motorcycle. I do a route around here in Chile or around Peru. I go nomad all over the place, but it鈥檚 with these machines that I feel at home.