The first Minitrack, at Range G

The first US satellite tracking system, called Minitrack, a part of Project Vanguard, was designed by the US Naval Research Laboratory. It was installed at Woomera Range G to the North of Woomera village in 1957 and became operational in March 1958.

The equipment, excluding fixed and steerable antennas, was housed in an air-conditioned Fruehauf semi-trailer. It tracked satellites which transmitted on 108 MHz.

The Department of Supply staffed that Station under Jack Dowling. (Jack was later Station Director at MILA – the Merritt Island Launch Area tracking station.)

More to come here

When the next generation of earth-orbiting satellites began using a frequency of 136 MHz, the station was relocated to Island Lagoon. The system was upgraded to the Mod. 1 Minitrack of 136 MHz and a permanent building and new Minitrack equipment were installed.

When Island Lagoon closed, the Minitrack system was moved to Orroral Valley Tracking Station near Canberra.

(with thanks to Bruce Window.)