DSS-43 Extension

 

DSS-43 was extended to 70m diameter in 1987, to support the Voyager II encounter with Neptune. It is now the largest steerable parabolic antenna in the Southern Hemisphere.

 

Impressive facts:

The antenna weighs more than 3000 tonnes and has a surface area of 4180 square metres on a Azimuth – Elevation mount.

The surface of the reflector is accurate to 0.5mm, and the antenna has a pointing accuracy of 0.005°.

Transmitting frequencies are:
X band (7145–7190 MHz) S band (2025–2120 MHz)

Receiving frequencies are:
X band (8400–8500 MHz) S band (2270–2300 MHz) L band (1626–1708 MHz) K band (12.5 GHz) Ku band (18–26 GHz).

 

 

Cyril Fenwick shared these photos of the work to extend the size of the dish. (They are not in chronological order.)

 

DSS-43 at Tidbinbilla

0-1.

DSS-43, as seen from the roof of the Operations Building.
Photo: Cyril Fenwick.

DSS-43 at Tidbinbilla

0-2.

DSS-43, as seen from the roof of the Operations Building.
Photo: Cyril Fenwick.

DSS-43 at Tidbinbilla

1-1.

DSS-43, as seen from the roof of the Operations Building.
Photo: Cyril Fenwick.

DSS-43 at Tidbinbilla

1-2.

DSS-43, as seen from the roof of the Operations Building.
Photo: Cyril Fenwick.

DSS-43 at Tidbinbilla

1-3.

DSS-43, as seen from the roof of the Operations Building.
Photo: Cyril Fenwick.

DSS-43 at Tidbinbilla

2-1.

DSS-43, as seen from the roof of the Operations Building.
Photo: Cyril Fenwick.

DSS-43 at Tidbinbilla

2-2.

DSS-43.
Photo: Cyril Fenwick.

DSS-43 at Tidbinbilla

3-1.

DSS-43.
Photo: Cyril Fenwick.

DSS-43 at Tidbinbilla

3-2.

DSS-43.
Photo: Cyril Fenwick.

DSS-43 at Tidbinbilla

3-3.

DSS-43.
Photo: Cyril Fenwick.