The name hails from the location of the facility close to Mopra Rock a geological formation overlooking the telescope.

It is also close to the Siding Spring optical observatory in the Warrumbungle National Park.

On January 13, 2013, the telescope was threatened by the Coonabarabran bushfire but survived with only the on-site building suffering significant damage.

[1] On the 27 May 2014, The Age newspaper reported that the telescope would be closed by CSIRO as a result of the 2014 Federal Budget.

[2] On 16 September 2015, A group of scientists successfully used crowdfunding to raise $65,000 to temporarily delay the telescope's closure.