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, Mike Dinn and Bruce Window for the bulk of these photos.

Unless otherwise noted, scans by Colin Mackellar.
Larger versions of some of these photos available on request.

 

DSS-43 under construction

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.


DSS-43 under construction

The cricket pitch is no longer there!

Scan: Glen Nagle, CDSCC.


DSS-43 under construction

Early excavation for the foundations. Undated.

Transparency and scan: Bruce Window.


DSS-43 under construction

Early excavation for the foundations. Undated.

Transparency and scan: Bruce Window.


DSS-43 under construction

Early excavation for the foundations. Undated.
Photo Clive Jones via Mike Dinn.


DSS-43 under construction

Here’s a wider view of the station, taken from Larry’s Hill, probably January 1970.


DSS-43 under construction

27 January 1970.
Photo Clive Jones via Mike Dinn.


DSS-43 under construction

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.


DSS-43 under construction

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.


DSS-43 under construction

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


DSS-43 under construction

10 March 1970, the pedestal formwork rises from the ground.

Scan: Glen Nagle, CDSCC.


DSS-43 under construction

Undated. Photo and scan by Bruce Window.


DSS-43 under construction

Undated. Photo and scan by Bruce Window.


DSS-43 under construction

Undated. About the same time as the photo above.
Photo Clive Jones via Mike Dinn.


DSS-43 under construction

27 May 1970.
Photo Clive Jones via Mike Dinn.


DSS-43 under construction

Undated.
Photo Clive Jones via Mike Dinn.


DSS-43 under construction

June 1970. Photo and scan: Cheryl Moore.


DSS-43 under construction

16 July 1970. The Pedestal takes shape.
Photo Clive Jones via Mike Dinn.


DSS-43 under construction

Scan: Glen Nagle, CDSCC.


DSS-43 under construction

Undated. Photo and scan by Bruce Window.


DSS-43 under construction

Hard work! Undated.
Photo Clive Jones via Mike Dinn.


DSS-43 under construction

Undated.
Photo Clive Jones via Mike Dinn.


DSS-43 under construction

28 October 1970.
Photo Clive Jones via Mike Dinn.


DSS-43 under construction

Undated.
Photo Clive Jones via Mike Dinn.


DSS-43 under construction

Undated. Photo and scan by Bruce Window.


DSS-43 under construction

10 November 1970. Scan: Glen Nagle, CDSCC.


DSS-43 under construction

Undated.
Photo Clive Jones via Mike Dinn.


DSS-43 under construction

Undated.
Photo Clive Jones via Mike Dinn.


DSS-43 under construction

Undated.
Photo Clive Jones via Mike Dinn.


DSS-43 under construction

Undated.
Photo Clive Jones via Mike Dinn.


DSS-43 under construction

DSS-43 from just outside the Operations Building. Undated.
Photo Clive Jones via Mike Dinn.


DSS-43 under construction

28 October 1970.
Photo Clive Jones via Mike Dinn.


DSS-43 under construction

Undated.
Photo Clive Jones via Mike Dinn.


DSS-43 under construction

Undated.
Photo Clive Jones via Mike Dinn.


DSS-43 under construction

Undated. Photo and scan by Bruce Window.


DSS-43 under construction

Undated. Photo and scan by Bruce Window.


DSS-43 under construction

This photo was featured in the Manned Space Flight Network’s Technical Information Bulletin, Volume 8, Number 8, June 17, 1971.

This copy preserved by Hamish Lindsay. Scan: Colin Mackellar.


DSS-43 under construction

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

Left photo of panorama (see below).
Photo Clive Jones via Mike Dinn.


DSS-43 under construction

21 March 1971. Right photo of panorama.
Photo Clive Jones via Mike Dinn.


DSS-43 under construction

21 March 1971 – joining photos taken from the roof of the Operations Building.
Photo Clive Jones via Mike Dinn.


Tid 64m under construction

Tom Sheehan took this photo, and the three below, during a visit to the western half of the MSFN in April 1971.

Note DSS42, the original Tidbinbilla antenna, behind the Operations Building.


Tid 64m under construction

April 1971. Looking from behind the Operations Building.

DSS42 is out of frame to the right. At right is the microwave link tower to Honeysuckle.

Transparency and scan: Tom Sheehan.


Tid 64m under construction

April 1971.

Transparency and scan: Tom Sheehan.


Tid 64m under construction

April 1971.

Transparency and scan: Tom Sheehan.


Tid 64m under construction

The elevation bearing assembly is lifted into place.

8x10" print with thanks to Stew Burton. Scan: Colin Mackellar.


DSS-43 under construction

The elevation bearing assembly is now in position.


Scan: Glen Nagle, CDSCC.



Tid 64m under construction

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.


64m under construction 1971

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.


DSS-42 1971

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

Photo: Colin Mackellar, 9th October 1971.


DSS-43 under construction

26 October 1971.

Scan: Glen Nagle, CDSCC.



Tid 64m under construction

Panels for the primary reflector structure are installed.

8x10" print with thanks to Stew Burton. Scan: Colin Mackellar.


Tid 64m under construction

Mike Dinn took this photo from his office in late 1971.


DSS-43 under construction

Scan: Glen Nagle, CDSCC.


DSS-43 under construction

Scan: Glen Nagle, CDSCC.


Tid 64m under construction

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.
Photo Clive Jones via Mike Dinn.


Tid 64m under construction

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


Tid 64m under construction

DSS43 as seen from high on the crane.

Photo preserved by Les Whaley.
Scan and image repair by Colin Mackellar.


DSS-43 under construction

Scan: Glen Nagle, CDSCC.


DSS-43 under construction

Scan: Glen Nagle, CDSCC.


DSS-43 under construction

22 February 1972.

Scan: Glen Nagle, CDSCC.


DSS-43 under construction

29 February 1972.

Scan: Glen Nagle, CDSCC.


DSS-43 under construction

Scan: Glen Nagle, CDSCC.


DSS-43 under construction

Lifting the feedcone.

Scan: Glen Nagle, CDSCC.


DSS-43 under construction

13 April 1973, Opening Day! (More opening day photos here.)

Scan: Glen Nagle, CDSCC.


Tid 64m under construction

Some time after construction is complete:

DSS-43 – with the original DSS-42 at left – as seen from Larry’s Hill.

From the Tidbinbilla archives. Scanned by Glen Nagle.