The telescope was built in 1987 as a combined project between ESO and Onsala Space Observatory, with contributions from Finland and Australia.

[3] The telescope was used for single-dish observations of a wide range of astronomical objects, especially the Galactic Center and the Magellanic Clouds and for interferometric observations at millimetre wavelengths.

[1] In 1995 observations made with SEST showed that the Boomerang Nebula is the coldest known location in the universe, with a temperature lower than the background radiation.

The relocation, refurbishment, and modifications, as well as operations and outreach activities, will cost $25 million.

The project is a collaboration between the University of Namibia, Windhoek, and Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands, and also involves the European Southern Observatory and the Netherlands Research School for Astronomy (NOVA).