The NASA Deep Space Network is a network of antennas supporting interplanetary spacecraft movements, radio and radar astronomy observations and various earth orbiting missions.
To achieve 24 hour monitoring NASA maintains three deep space communication facilities placed at around 120 degrees apart around the world; Gladstone in California’s Mojave Desert, Madrid in Spain and here at Tidbinbilla here in Canberra.
The Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC) opened in the 1960s and is managed by CSIRO – the Australian Government’s scientific organisation. The CDSCC has three operational antenna with two new ones under construction and is currently monitoring over 40 missions including the Cassini spacecraft at Saturn, the Messenger spacecraft travelling to Mars, New Horizons en route to Pluto in addition to Voyager I and II which have been in space for over 30 years.
The Complex previously supported US human space flight programs including the Apollo missions to the Moon, the Skylab space station and early flights of the Space Shuttle.
Given the sensitivity of this equipment access to the antennas is not possible but you can certainly have a decent look at them albeit it from a distance.
The visitors centre is certainly worth a visit and especially so if you have kids in tow.
The primary purpose of the centre is to let visitors learn about the role that Australia plays in the exploration of space. This is done via real images from space, models, documentaries and numerous displays.
Given that NASA owns and finances the complex it has numerous exhibits which it might not otherwise have. Seeing these is, for me, the highlight of a visit here and makes it well worth the 40 minutes drive out of Canberra (though I recommend you combine the CDSCC with a visit to nearby Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve only a few kilometres away. I have prepared series of reviews on Tidbinbilla – Nature on the Outskirts of Canberra.
Some of the interesting items on display here are:
A piece of moon rock – 3.8 billion years old and brought back to earth by an Apollo mission
A colour TV Camera from the US Command Module from the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project mission
Space Shuttle thermal protection tiles (used on Columbia and Challenger missions) built to withstand atmospheric re-entry temperatures of 1650 degrees centigrade
Astronaut food from the Space Shuttle program – recall what this looks like before your write your next negative restaurant review.
For the inquisitive among you, you can also find out the answer the Complex’s most frequently asked question – How do people pee in space? And the answer is …….. well you’ll just have to visit to find out.
The Complex has a small café aptly named The Moon Rock Café which is fairly basic though fine for a quick bite to eat. The café also has a few souvenir knickknacks for sale.
While the CDSCC is only a 40 minute drive from Canberra city centre please be careful as it is along a very winding road which is very popular with cyclists.
Opening Hours:
9am to 5pm every day except Christmas Day (25 December). The Moon Rock Café is open 9am to 4pm on the same days.
Entrance Fee: Free
Location
421 Discovery Drive, Tidbinbilla – off Cotter & Paddys River Roads
GPS coordinates: -35.39972,148.97086
This is my last CANBERRA – TUGGERNONG AND SOUTHERN ACT review.
For other CANBERRA reviews click HERE.
The Rambling Wombat 