DSS 43

This is Deep Space Station 43, a radio antenna at the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex. Originally constructed as a 64 m dish in 1973 and enlarged in 1987. It is the largest steerable parabolic antenna in the Southern Hemisphere. 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. This is one of the antennae used to receive data from the New Horizons probe out exploring Pluto and the Kuiper belt.

Taken on a recent trip to Canberra, a vertical panorama. About 4 shots in this.

Wow! That is awesome.

An interesting article on communicating with New Horizons, here: http://www.planetary.o​rg …ing-to-pluto-is-hard.html

andicus wrote in post #17694680
Wow! That is awesome.

An interesting article on communicating with New Horizons, here: http://www.planetary.o​rg …ing-to-pluto-is-hard.html

Thanks for the link, it's a fascinating read!