This place occupies the high ground about 30 miles from Holloman AFB and White Sands Missile Range.
I imagine the FBI is shutting down the whole area temporarily while some new weapons-technology tests are taking place. It wants to be able to remove any and all potential observers, particularly anyone pretending to be a local “scientist.” By the way, any Chinese post-doctoral researchers happen to be on staff at this Observatory?
One excuse is about as good as another, but this explanation about the close proximity to a governmental testing facility makes sense. The interesting part in another article was the sudden attention to antennas and transmission towers as well as the post office, all items or places to be used for communication, shut it down so no info can get out. An excerpt of this article attached.
“There was a Blackhawk helicopter, a bunch of people around antennas and work crews on towers, but nobody would tell us anything,” Otero County Sheriff Benny House told the Alamogordo Daily News. “I don’t know why the FBI would get involved so quick and not tell us anything.”
“By the way, any Chinese post-doctoral researchers happen to be on staff at this Observatory?”
I believe all contracting companies working on Federal projects are overrun with foreigners, especially Chinese. At least that’s what Hubby saw when contracting on Federal projects, including at an observatory. And they see nothing wrong with spying, stealing info, etc. No moral compass.