Editing Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex

{{Short description|Interplanetary radio communication station}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox Observatory
|name = Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex
|image = CSIRO ScienceImage 11042 Aerial view of the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex.jpg
|caption = The Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex in 2010
|organization = [[CSIRO]]{{\}}[[NASA]] / [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory|JPL]]
|location = [[Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve|Tidbinbilla]], [[Australian Capital Territory]], Australia
|coords = {{Coord|35|24|05|S|148|58|54|E|region:AU-ACT_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
|altitude = 550 m
|weather = 
|established = 19 March 1965
|website= [http://www.cdscc.nasa.gov/ www.cdscc.nasa.gov]
|telescope1_name = DSS-34
|telescope1_type = 
|telescope2_name = DSS-43
|telescope2_type = 
|telescope3_name = DSS-45
|telescope3_type = 
|telescope4_name = DSS-46
|telescope4_type = 
|telescope5_name = DSS-49
|telescope5_type = 
}}

[[File:Canberra Deep Space Telesco.jpg|thumb|right|70m DSS-43 telescope at the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex]]

The '''Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex''' ('''CDSCC''') is a [[earth station|satellite communication station]], part of the [[Deep Space Network]] of [[NASA]]'s [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]] (JPL), located at [[Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve|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 Deep Space Communications Complex|Goldstone, California]] and [[Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex|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]]<ref>{{cite web|title=A golden year for a giant antenna|url=https://www.csiro.au/en/news/all/articles/2023/april/deep-space-station-43}}</ref> 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]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Latifiyan |first=Pouya |date=April 2021 |title=Space Telecommunications, how? |journal=Take off |publisher=[[Civil Aviation Technology College]] |publication-place=[[Tehran]] |volume=1 |pages=15 |via=[[Persian language|Persian]]}}</ref>

==Location==
The complex is located in the [[Paddys River (Australian Capital Territory)|Paddys River]] (a tributary of the [[Cotter River]]) valley, about 20&nbsp;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]].

==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).<ref>{{cite web|title=CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science formed|first=Andrew |last=Wright |date=December 1, 2009|url=https://csiropedia.csiro.au/csiro-astronomy-and-space-science-formed/|publisher=[[CSIRO]]|access-date=December 11, 2022}}</ref> Previous to this CDSCC had been managed by external sub-contractor organisations, such as [[Raytheon]] Australia from 2003 to 2010;<ref>{{cite web|title=Seven Year Service to the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex Celebrated|date=26 February 2010|url=https://raytheon.au.mediaroom.com/news-release-archive?item=7|publisher=Raytheon Australia|access-date=December 11, 2022}}</ref> [[BAE Systems Australia]] 1990–2003; [[AWA Technology Services|AWA]] Electronic Services -1990.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ground control: the ultimate comms centre|publisher=Comms Connect|first= Jonathan |last=Nally|date=25 September 2013|url=https://www.criticalcomms.com.au/content/industry/article/ground-control-the-ultimate-comms-centre-1309539354}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Tidbinbilla ACT locality-MJC01.png|thumb|200px|left|Tidbinbilla Locality Map, the site is marked with the red star.]]
[[File:DSS43.jpg|thumb|The 70m DSS-43 dish at the CDSCC]]
During the mid 1960s NASA built three [[tracking station]]s in the Australian Capital Territory.
[[File:Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex Map.png|thumb|Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex Map]]

*The [[Tidbinbilla Tracking Station]] (now known as CDSCC) was opened in 1965 and is the only NASA tracking station in Australia still in operation.  During the [[Project Apollo|Apollo]] program, Tidbinbilla was used for tracking the [[Apollo Lunar Module]].
*The [[Orroral Valley Tracking Station]] ({{coord|35|37|43|S|148|57|20.8|E|region:AU-NSW}}) was opened in May 1965 in what is now part of [[Namadgi National Park]].  Its role was orbiting satellite support, although it also supported the [[Apollo-Soyuz Test Project]] in 1975. It was closed in 1985.
*[[Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station]] ({{coord|35|35|1|S|148|58|36|E|type:landmark|display=inline|name=Honeysuckle Creek}}) opened in 1967 and was built primarily to support the Apollo Moon missions, mainly communications with the [[Apollo Command Module]]. After the cancellation of the Apollo Project the station supported [[Skylab]] until its re-entry in 1979 when the station joined the [[Deep Space Network]] in support of the Viking and Voyager projects. 1981 saw the closure of the station and its 26 m antenna was moved to CDSCC to become known as Deep Space Station 46.  After the antenna was removed the rest of the facility was dismantled and knocked down.  Its foundation, access road and parking area are all that remains of the facility.
{{clear}}

== Antennas ==
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&nbsp;m [[beam waveguide antenna]]. Construction of DSS-35 began in July 2010.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/428353main_Construction_and_Env_Compliance.pdf| title = Antenna Construction - page 8| publisher = [[NASA]]| access-date = 18 July 2010| archive-date = 14 July 2010| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100714101735/http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/428353main_Construction_and_Env_Compliance.pdf| url-status = dead}}</ref> The station's [[collimated light|collimation]] tower is located approximately 3&nbsp;km to the north-west, on Black Hill.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Photo !! Designation !! Status !! Main aperture !! Notes
|-
| || DSS-33 ||Decommissioned|| 11m || A small A/E antenna which was decommissioned for DSN use in 2002 and moved to Norway in 2009 to be used for atmospheric research.<ref name=dss33>{{cite web|title=Antennas|url=http://www.cdscc.nasa.gov/Pages/antennas.html|publisher=[[CSIRO]]|access-date=20 August 2015}}</ref>
|-
| || DSS-34 || Active || 34m || [[Beam waveguide antenna]], uses a system of radio frequency mirrors to place the receiving and transmitting hardware underground rather than on top of the dish. Built in 1997.
|-
| [[File:CSIRO ScienceImage 11482 An artists impression of one of the two new antennas to be constructed at the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex CDSCC.jpg|100px]] || DSS-35 || Active ||  34m || Operational in late 2014 and officially opened in March 2015.
|-
| [[File:CSIRO ScienceImage 11482 An artists impression of one of the two new antennas to be constructed at the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex CDSCC.jpg|100px]] || DSS-36 || Active || 34m || Dish installed August 2015. Operational late 2016 and officially opened on 3 November 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-20/canberra-deep-space-communication-complex-antennae-upgrade/6711504|title=Deep Space Station 36: Huge NASA dish lifted into place outside Canberra after delays|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|date=20 August 2015|access-date=20 August 2015}}</ref>
|-
| || DSS-42 || Decommissioned || 34m || Decommissioned in 2000 and dismantled shortly after.  This was an "hour angle declination" antenna and was the original antenna constructed at the complex.
|-
| [[File:Canberra Deep Dish Communications Complex - GPN-2000-000502.jpg|150px]] || DSS-43 || Active || 70m || Originally constructed as a 64&nbsp;m dish in 1973 and enlarged in 1987. It is the largest steerable [[parabolic antenna]] in the [[Southern Hemisphere]]. It is used by NASA to communicate with [[Voyager 2]]; the only antenna remaining on Earth capable to do so.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sciencealert.com/nasa-finally-makes-contact-with-voyager-2-after-long-spell-of-radio-silence|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120041059/https://www.sciencealert.com/nasa-finally-makes-contact-with-voyager-2-after-long-spell-of-radio-silence|archive-date=20 November 2020|author=Dockrill, Peter|date=5 November 2020|title = NASA Finally Makes Contact with Voyager 2 After Longest Radio Silence in 30 Years}}</ref> The antenna weighs more than 3000 tonnes and rotates on a film of oil approximately 0.17mm thick. The reflector surface is made up of 1,272 aluminium panels with a total surface area of 4,180 square metres.
|-
| || DSS-45 || Decommissioned || 34m || Built in 1986. Decommissioned November 2016 soon after DSS-36 became fully operational.
|-
| [[File:Deep Space Station 46, 1.JPG|150px]] ||  DSS-44<br />DSS-46 || Decommissioned || 26m || Originally was constructed in 1967 for the Manned Spaceflight Network (MSFN) at [[Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station|Honeysuckle Creek]] near Canberra.  It was one of three main ground stations for the Apollo program.  While in the MSFN the station and its 26m dish had the designation HSK.  In 1974 after the Apollo program had finished the station was transferred to JPL's Deep Space Network (DSN) and given the designation DSS-44.  In 1984 the Honeysuckle complex was wound up, the antenna was dismantled and reassembled as DSS-46 at the CDSCC (Tidbinbilla) complex about 20&nbsp;km away.

DSS-46 was decommissioned in late 2009. In May 2010 the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics declared the antenna a Historical Aerospace Site, and the antenna remains in place.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://intranet.aiaa.org/industryresources/PDF/AustraliaHistoricSitesPR.pdf| title = AustraliaHistoricalSite| publisher = [[American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics]]| access-date = 18 July 2010| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100711040301/http://intranet.aiaa.org/industryresources/PDF/AustraliaHistoricSitesPR.pdf| archive-date = 11 July 2010}}</ref>
|-
| [[File:CSIRO ScienceImage 8220 The Radio Telescope at Parkes.jpg|150px]] || DSS-49 || Active || 64m || Radio telescope at [[Parkes Observatory]], capable of linking in to provide support, though it is a receiver only and is incapable of transmitting.
|-
|}

==Funding==
CDSCC costs about {{AUD|20 million}} per year to run, and is funded by NASA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.minister.industry.gov.au/ministers/macfarlane/media-releases/over-fifty-years-space-collaboration-between-australia-and|title=Over fifty years of space collaboration between Australia and the United States|date=26 February 2015|publisher=[[Department of Industry (Australia)|Department of Industry]], Australian Government|access-date=24 July 2015|archive-date=30 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730000415/https://www.minister.industry.gov.au/ministers/macfarlane/media-releases/over-fifty-years-space-collaboration-between-australia-and|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdscc.nasa.gov/Pages/faq.html|title=Frequently Asked Questions|publisher=Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex|access-date=24 July 2015}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Australia|Spaceflight}}
* [[Carnarvon Tracking Station]]
* [[OTC Satellite Earth Station Carnarvon]]
* [[Parkes Observatory]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f9cnx1NQYI Partners in space: CSIRO and NASA - video]
* [http://www.cdscc.nasa.gov/ Official CDSCC Webpage]
* [http://www.atnf.csiro.au/observers/tidbinbilla/ Official CSIRO pages]
* [http://www.tidbinbilla.net/ Tidbinbilla Tracking Station tribute site]
* [http://www.honeysucklecreek.net/ Honeysuckle Creek tribute site]
*[http://researchandideas.com/index.php?title=NASA%27s_GRO_Remote_Terminal_System_(GRTS) NASA's GRO Remote Terminal System Installed at Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex]

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[[Category:Earth stations in the Australian Capital Territory]]
[[Category:Space programme of Australia]]
[[Category:Deep space networks]]
[[Category:1965 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:CSIRO]]
[[Category:NASA facilities in Australia]]