Top Qs
Timeline
Chat
Perspective

Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex

Interplanetary radio communication station From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Canberra Deep Space Communication Complexmap
Remove ads

The Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC) is a satellite communication station, part of the Deep Space Network of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), located at Tidbinbilla in the Australian Capital Territory. Opened in 1965, the complex was used for tracking the Apollo Lunar Module, and along with its two sister stations at Goldstone, California and Madrid, Spain is now used for tracking and communicating with NASA's spacecraft, particularly interplanetary missions. Its DSS-43 antenna is the only antenna on Earth that can send commands to Voyager 1[1] and Voyager 2. It is managed in Australia by the CSIRO for NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation program (SCaN) at NASA Headquarters in Washington DC.[2]

Quick Facts Alternative names, Organization ...
Remove ads
Thumb
70m DSS-43 telescope at the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex
Remove ads

Location

The complex is located in the Paddys River (a tributary of the Cotter River) valley, about 20 km from Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory. The complex is part of the Deep Space Network run by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). It is commonly referred to as the Tidbinbilla Deep Space Tracking Station and was officially opened on 19 March 1965 by the Prime Minister of Australia, Robert Menzies.

The station is separated from Canberra by the Murrumbidgee River and, more importantly, the Coolamon Ridge, Urambi Hills, and Bullen Range, which help shield the dishes from the city's radio frequency (RF) noise. Located nearby is the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.

Remove ads

Management

The CSIRO manages most of NASA's activities in Australia.

In February 2010 CSIRO took over direct management of the site with the establishment of CASS (CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science).[3] Previous to this CDSCC had been managed by external sub-contractor organisations, such as Raytheon Australia from 2003 to 2010;[4] BAE Systems Australia 1990–2003; AWA Electronic Services -1990.[5]

History

Summarize
Perspective
Thumb
Tidbinbilla Locality Map, the site is marked with the red star.
Thumb
The 70m DSS-43 dish at the CDSCC

During the mid 1960s NASA built three tracking stations in the Australian Capital Territory.

Thumb
Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex Map

Antennas

Summarize
Perspective

As of late 2016 the station has five large antennas, called Deep Space Stations (DSS), each identified by a number: DSS-34, DSS-35, DSS-36, DSS-43, and DSS-45. The CDSCC also uses the Parkes radio telescope in central New South Wales at busy times to receive data from spacecraft (then designated DSS-49). There has been ongoing construction since 2010 building additional 34 m beam waveguide antenna. Construction of DSS-35 began in July 2010.[6] The station's collimation tower is located approximately 3 km to the north-west, on Black Hill.

More information Photo, Designation ...
Remove ads

Funding

CDSCC costs about A$20 million per year to run, and is funded by NASA.[11][12]

See also

References

Loading content...
Loading content...
Loading related searches...

Wikiwand - on

Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.

Remove ads