NASA Unveils New Dish as Deep Space Network Celebrates 60 Years in Australia

Canberra became part of the international network in 1965 and currently has four radio antennae. Preparations for installing a fifth antenna have now started as NASA aims to enhance the network’s capabilities.

On March 19, NASA’s Deep Space Network site in Canberra, Australia marked both its 60th anniversary and the commencement of construction on a new radio antenna. These dual accomplishments represent significant landmarks for the network, which facilitates communication with space probes throughout our solar system via large dish antennas situated at three global facilities.

Canberra’s latest enhancement, Deep Space Station 33, will feature a 112-foot-wide (34-meter-wide) multi-frequency beam-waveguide antenna. Mostly submerged underground, this station includes a substantial concrete pedestal designed to encase advanced electronic components and receptors within a temperature-regulated chamber. This structure also offers a solid foundation for the reflective dish, enabling it to pivot during operation atop a steel platform known as an alidade.

As we reflect on six decades of remarkable achievements at Canberra, the start of construction for a new antenna represents the dawn of another 60 years filled with scientific breakthroughs," stated Kevin Coggins, deputy associate administrator of NASA's SCaN (Space Communication and Navigation) Program based in Washington D.C. "Constructing advanced antennas underscores our commitment within the Deep Space Network to adopt innovative technology, facilitating the journey of an expanding array of space expeditions.

In 2029, when it becomes operational, the updated Canberra dish will mark the completion of six parabolic antennas built as part of NASA’s Deep Space Network Aperture Enhancement Program. This initiative aims to bolster support for present and upcoming spacecraft along with their escalating volumes of transmitted information. In 2022, the Madrid site within this network received an additional dish, while the location in Goldstone, California, has nearly finished installing a fresh antenna.

Canberra's role

On December 24, 1963, NASA established the Deep Space Network by linking its initial ground stations such as Goldstone with a newly created network control hub located within the Jet Propulsion Laboratory situated in Southern California. This facility, known then as the Space Flight Operations Facility, continues to serve as the central point for transmitting information received from all three of these worldwide facilities.

The Madrid site became operational in 1964, followed by Canberra which started functioning in 1965. These facilities proceeded to assist with numerous missions, notably including the Apollo lunar landings.

Kevin Ferguson, director of the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex, stated, “Canberra has been essential in monitoring, exchanging information, and gathering data from several landmark missions in space history.” He added, “As this network expands and improves, Canberra will maintain its vital position in aiding human endeavors to explore outer space.”

Due to their even distribution around the world, these facilities can offer non-stop coverage of spacecraft regardless of their location in the solar system as Earth spins.

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There is an exemption though: Because of Canberra’s position in the Southern Hemisphere, it stands alone in being able to both transmit instructions to and gather information from Voyager 2 as it travels nearly 13 billion miles (21 billion kilometers) further into interstellar space. Meanwhile, at over 15 billion miles (24 billion kilometers) distant, Voyager 1 relays its findings exclusively to the Madrid and Goldstone facilities; yet similar to Voyager 2, it also receives all its directives solely through Canberra.

New technologies

Besides building additional antennae similar to those found in Canberra’s Deep Space Station 33, NASA is exploring advanced technologies such as lasers, or optical communication systems, which could dramatically increase the amount of data exchanged between Earth and space missions. Currently, the Deep Space Network uses radio waves for transmission; however, since lasers operate at higher frequencies, they can carry much larger volumes of information.

In this endeavor, NASA is conducting the Deep Space Optical Communications experiment using the agency’s Psyche mission. Following its launch in October 2023, it has shown high transmission speeds across unprecedented distances and transmitted ultra-high-definition live streams from deep space.

"These emerging technologies could enhance the scientific discoveries and exploratory outcomes of missions traversing our solar system," stated Amy Smith, deputy project manager for the Deep Space Network at JPL, where she oversees the management of the network.

Laser and radio communication systems might be merged to create hybrid antennas or dishes capable of transmitting data via both radio and optical wavelengths simultaneously. This development could significantly impact NASA.

Provided by NASA

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