The web site of the “acquisition source” shows an optical telescope so I assume that is what it was.
Is it the Hubble Space telescope? or is there another in space. Atmosphere makes it difficult to depend upon earth based telescopes.
Space based is sent by RF means back through our atmosphere.
I’ve been to Goldstone and to the VLA sight for radio telescopes. No part of that is optic.
I got the tour on the VLA sight when only 3 dishes were operational. Chief engineer gave me the tour. It was quite impressive technology. Especially interesting was the IF wave guide, it looked like a 2-1/2” ferrite tube with 1/4 wave length wall thickness. Inside was a spun copper wire lining to carry the signal. That was long long ago. At the time, they were trying to use cryogenic cooling on the front end of the receiver to keep the noise level down. Then they came along with GASFET’s that worked without super cooling. That was in the Early 1980’s. Don’t remember the exact year, it was before 1985. I moved back to Texas in 1986.
I love those types of sights. Have been a ham radio op for 49 years. Had some great friends while I was in NM.