A series of very strong lightning strikes on Thursday, September 12, 2019 rendered the McDonald Laser Ranging Station (MLRS) inoperative.  Despite heroic efforts by our University of Texas/CSR personnel, it appears as if Mother Nature has
dealt MLRS a final blow.  The NASA Space Geodesy Project has directed us not to attempt a resuscitation.

As so many of you know, the past 10 years or so have not been easy ones for the MLRS.  Suffering the results of this storm, we are closing another chapter of laser ranging operations at McDonald Observatory.  This completes nearly half
a century of such activity, going back to lunar operations with the McDonald 2.7-m system.

But, every cloud has its silver lining.  We are herewith beginning a new chapter.  The McDonald Geodetic Observatory (MGO) is growing by leaps and bounds.  Its VLBI and GNSS elements are becoming operational.  With its SGSLR component not
far behind, satellite laser ranging will again be alive and well atop Mt. Fowlkes.  Remembering the words of Jean Dickey, so many times stated at various of our gatherings, The best is yet to come.

.. Peter J. Shelus