"Las Antenas": Recursive observation and the transformation of space infrastructure in Mexico

Abstract (English)

The transformation of an historic satellite dish in Tulancingo, Mexico into a radio telescope and museum represents a significant case study in the repurposing of space infrastructure while preserving its cultural heritage. This paper examines how this conversion project navigates multiple dimensions of observation: from its original role in broadcasting the 1968 Olympics to the world, to its future contribution to astronomical research as part of an international radio telescope network. The site's heritage value stems from its position as one of Mexico's earliest pieces of space infrastructure, marking a crucial moment in the nation's technological development and its integration into global communications networks. By analyzing the preservation and adaptation of this technological landmark, this study contributes to theoretical discussions about observation as both a scientific practice and a socio-cultural phenomenon. The paper argues that the transformation creates a multi-layered observational space where historical, educational, and scientific functions converge. The conversion project demonstrates how technological heritage can be sustainably preserved while avoiding the environmental impact of technological waste, offering a model for similar infrastructure worldwide. Through ethnographic research and archival analysis, this study develops the concept of "recursive observation" – where the act of observation extends beyond the scientific to encompass historical reflection and public engagement. This theoretical framework helps understand how repurposed scientific infrastructure can simultaneously serve as an instrument of astronomical observation, a museum object that invites observation of technological history, and a symbol of environmental consciousness. The paper concludes that such transformations of space infrastructure contribute to a more nuanced understanding of observation as a practice that bridges scientific, cultural, and educational domains while ensuring the sustainable preservation of technological heritage.