![]() They are controlled remotely by one of the teams from the other complexes. ![]() While the controller teams get to sleep through their night, the antennas at each complex continue to work. Controllers had to maintain focus at all times ready to react to the spacecraft configuration changes the JWST team were making.” Dishes never sleepĪs Earth rotates each complex controller team hands over to the next providing constant communication with the spacecraft. During the complex commissioning stage, the JWST team were making real-time changes and this automation could not be used. "Under normal operations, tracking automation developed by CDSCC allows a controller to support up to three antennas at once. “Initially the JWST team needed full manual control with real-time configuration changes as they worked through deploying the telescope.” “JWST is just one of more than dozens of spacecraft we support, but it has provided new challenges across the network.” This support will continue until its end of mission, hopefully many years in the future. The DSN has supported JWST from the moment it separated with its launch vehicle. “Our team started preparing for JWST months before its launch, testing on all DSN antenna to check compatibility and proficiency,” Richard said. During the Australian night, CDSCC tracked the JWST as it headed for Lagrange point 2. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) launched on the European Space Agency’s Ariane 5 rocket from French Guiana. On Christmas Day 2021 the world received a special present. You can watch the live feed to see which space missions CDSCC is tracking right now.ĭoc Baldwin Is that Santa? No, it’s a new space telescope! “Our current schedule contains more than 30 active missions, including tracking the James Webb Space Telescope.” "Canberra operations supports the DSN tracking schedule and when there are issues on Earth or in space my role is to restore the communication links as fast as possible using whatever resources I have available,” Richard said. This means they can communicate with the large flotilla of spacecraft in deep space. Each complex includes a similar number and type of antennas. This is why there are three complexes in the network equally spaced around the globe in Australia, Spain and the USA. Maintaining contact with all of NASA’s space missions is critically important. Connecting to space from AustraliaĬDSCC is part of NASA’s Deep Space Network, or DSN, which communicates with robotic spacecraft belonging to NASA and its partner agencies as they explore our Solar System. Here, he helps keep the tracking station talking to spacecraft exploring the Solar System and beyond. Richard Stephenson has worked at the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex (CDSCC) for more than 30 years.
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