| 8th of June 2018 |
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| The Deep Space Network Now! |
| by Glen Nagle |
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There is a lot of competition for time on ATNF telescope from radio
astronomers and their projects. The same is true for tracking
spacecraft in the NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN), with around 35
missions, representing 27 nations around the world, all wanting
specific time for their spacecraft and science projects. NASA's three
DSN stations are located at Madrid, Spain; Goldstone, California; and
Canberra, all separated by about 120 degrees of longitude so that
spacecraft are visible to at least one tracking station at all
times. The DSN provides a simple interface to see what the Network
antennas are doing at any time of the day or night. It’s called
Deep Space Network
Now. This simple online website illustrates in a very simple and
graphical format what each of the dishes are doing in terms of
spacecraft communications or performing radio astronomy science. It’s
like having mission control right at home!
As Monday is a public holiday in NSW, the next ADAP will be Tuesday June 12th. |