DSS-43 Construction

Construction started in December 1969, and DSS-43 was opened on 13 April 1973.
Although not completed, it was operational enough to be able to support Apollo 17 in December 1972.

Here is a series of photos of the construction of DSS-43, more-or-less in chronological order.
Do you have any others? (Contact.)

Thanks to Clive Jones and Mike Dinn for the bulk of these photos. Unless otherwise noted, scans by Colin Mackellar.

Much larger versions of many of these photos available on request.

Before any work on DSS-43 begins, as seen from the Operations Building. The station’s cricket pitch (visible at centre) will have to go to make way for the giant dish. Undated, but some time in 1969.

Scan: Glen Nagle, CDSCC.

Early excavation for the foundations. Undated.

27 January 1970.

On 24 February 1970, NASA Administrator Dr Thomas O. Paine visited Tidbinbilla. He is seen here with Station Director Tom Reid and party inspecting the initial work on the foundations for DSS-43.

L-R: ?, Willson Hunter (NASA Senior Scientific Rep. to Australia), Tom Reid, Dr. Paine, ?, ?, ?, ?.

More photos of Dr Paine’s visit in the Visitors section.

Photo Clive Jones via Mike Dinn. Scan Colin Mackellar.

On 24 February 1970, NASA Administrator Dr Thomas Paine visited Tidbinbilla (and Honeysuckle). He is seen here with Station Director Tom Reid and party inspecting the initial work on the foundations for DSS-43. Credits as above.

On 24 February 1970, Station Director Tom Reid showed NASA Administrator Dr Thomas Paine the progress on DSS-43. Credits as above.

Undated. Photo and scan by Bruce Window.

Undated. About the same time as the photo above.

27 May 1970.

Undated.

16 July 1970. The Pedestal takes shape.

Undated.

Hard work! Undated.

28 October 1970.

Undated.

DSS-43 from just outside the Operations Building. Undated.

28 October 1970.

Undated.

21 March 1971. The Alidade (the structure on which the Dish will be mounted) is being erected.

Left photo of panorama (see below).

21 March 1971. Right photo of panorama.

21 March 1971 – joining photos taken from the roof of the Operations Building. Large, Larger.

Tom Sheehan took this photo on a visit to the western half of the MSFN in April 1971.

DSS-43 under construction as seen from Larry’s Hill.

This view also shows the power house being extended.

Large, Larger.

Preserved by Hamish Lindsay, scan by Colin Mackellar.

Colin Mackellar and the 64m under construction

The central section of the Primary Reflector structure is now in place in this photo taken 9 October 1971.

Photo: Ken Mackellar.

A longer view, with the Tidbinbilla operations building and the 26 metre DSS-42 antenna in the distance.

Large, Larger.

Photo: Colin Mackellar, 9th October 1971.

Detail from the above photo, with the Tidbinbilla operations building and the 26 metre DSS-42 antenna.

Photo: Colin Mackellar, 9th October 1971.

The Primary Reflector structure and Quadrapod are now in place.
Note DSS-42, the original 85 foot (26 metre) Tidbinbilla antenna at left. Aerial photo – scanned by Mike Dinn.
Large, Larger.

Aerial photo – scanned by Mike Dinn. The current Visitors Centre is at the far left of the picture.
Large, Larger.