Australia's Update
Forty eight years old and 70 meters wide dish in Canberra, Australia already begun much
needed upgrades in March by NASA. Deep Space Station 43 (DSS - 43) one of the network's
largest antenna that helps communications with outer robotic spacecraft received a new Xband frequency cone. A highly sensitive receivers and a powerful advanced transmitter being
developed inside the cone, which in the process of space communication, is used to send
command to the spacecrafts and thereby receive telemetry and science data back from robotic
missions exploring the solar system. Upgradation will be completed by January 2021.
Work Of DSS
NASA's interplanetary switchboard Deep Space Networks helps constant communications with
the robotic spacecraft on the moon and beyond at all times during Earth's rotation. Deep Space
Network is located in three different locations of the world - Spain , California and Australia.
Australia's DSS - 43 is the only station capable of sending command to the Voyager 2.
It is a
space probe launched by NASA on August 20 1977, to study the outer planets. Voyager 2 is
more than 11 billion miles (18 billion kilometers) from Earth and therefore requires a powerful
radio antenna to transmit commands. Deep Space Station 43's special S-band transmitter has
this capability and operates on a frequency that can communicate with Voyager's technology.
A giant crane maneuvered the 3 tonne cone into the center of the huge dish after lifting it 20
stories from the ground. The antenna is also receiving upgrades to its water coolant system and
its mechanical and electrical equipment. Repair of DSS 43 not only benefit Voyager 2 but
magnifies the communications with about to go Perseverance Mars rover and future Moon to
Mars exploration efforts.
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory for SCaN (Space Communications and Navigation Program)
located at NASA Headquarters manages the Deep Space Network. Whereas NASA's Deep
Space Station in Canberra, Australia is managed on behalf of NASA by Australia's National
Science Agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.
Written by - Mickel Lepcha
Edited by - Keerthana Lakshmi
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