Celebrating 40 Years of Discovery: 1965-2005 & Beyond
15 August 2005
A Celebration of 40 Years for Canberra's Link in the Deep Space Network
The Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC) marked its 40th anniversary with a special event held as part of its annual 'Space Open Day' on Sunday, 14th August, 2005.

The Open Day attracted around 2,600 visitors to the Complex, all enjoying the beautiful sunshine, the tours, and of course, the special commemoration ceremony.

Guests to the ceremony included (pictured above from LtoR), Mr Geoff Garrett (Chief Executive, CSIRO), Mr Peter Churchill (CDSCC Director, CSIRO), Dr Gerry Haddad (Chief Div. Industrial Physics, CSIRO), Senator Gary Humphries (Federal Liberal Senator for the ACT), Mr Des McNicholas (CDSCC Site Manager, Raytheon Australia), Mr Ron Fisher (Managing Director, Raytheon Australia), Mr William Stanton (Charge d'Affairs, US Embassy), and Mr Frederick Gregory (Deputy Administrator, NASA).

Dozens of ex-tracking station staff, family and friends joined the audience for the special ceremony which included speeches from some of the VIPs, a special message from the crew of the International Space Station, and the unveiling of the restored plaque from the Complex's opening in 1965.

Neighbours in space
Keynote speaker for the celebration was NASA's Deputy Administrator, Frederick Gregory (right) - an astronaut and former Shuttle commander with three flights to his credit.

While describing his time as an astronaut, he said how great Australia had looked from above. He noted that "in space terms" we were only 18 minutes away from the United States, "that makes us neighbours ready to share an icecream and barbie (bbq)".

During his speech, Mr Gregory said that after trusting his life and that of his crewmates on two shuttle flights he commanded, he could not emphasise enough the critical link and reliability of spacecraft communications, specifically in Canberra.

''Thank you for sharing your outstanding talent.'' Mr Gregory said, speaking of the staff.

Message from ISS
The crew of the International Space Station, US astronaut John Phillips, and Russian cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev recorded a special message of thanks to Australia, and in particular the CDSCC, for its 'invaluable support in the area spacecraft tracking and communication'. Download the message.

The message said in part...

"Hello Australia, I'm John Phillips, Expedition Eleven flight engineer, along with my crew mate Commander Sergei Krikalev of Russia. We're talking to you from our home on board the International Space Station,"

"Throughout NASA's history we've enjoyed invaluable support from Australia in the form of spacecraft tracking and communications. In fact we now celebrate 40 years of continuous support from the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex.

"On behalf of NASA and our international partners everywhere, a big thank-you to Australia."

The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of the restored plaque first unveiled by then Prime Minister of Australia, Sir Robert Menzies in 1965. The plaque was framed brilliantly by a model of the Voyager spacecraft which symbolises the unending quest of exploration and the thirst for knowledge which drives humanity (Image Right - Monica and Bill Flint are owners of the property where the CDSCC is located).

The Space Open Day and the 40th Anniversary commemoration was a great day and a fitting recognition of 40 years of discovery, and the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex's important role in the exploration of space.

Article by Glen Nagle - CDSCC Education & Outreach Manager