As a consequence of its relative isolation the CDSCC must function with a degree of self-sufficiency. To achieve this, personnel employed at the Complex cover a variety of technical and operational disciplines. During peak periods of space exploration activity there can been as many as 150 people employed at the site.

Four rotating shift teams ensure that the communications path between scientists worldwide, JPL, the DSN, and the spacecraft, keeps flowing 24 hours a day.

Personnel in this area cover a wide range of technical skills in electronics maintenance, development and design, digital and radio frequency hardware/software maintenance, quality assurance, and internal communications and systems security.

Nearly one-third of the site’s personnel—electrical technicians, mechanical engineers, building and construction engineers, and allied tradespeople, are engaged in the maintenance and support of the antennas and associated facilities on site.

There are also personnel covering administrative duties, financial services, education and public outreach, documentation, logistics and stores, grounds maintenance, cleaning, and catering. The site operates just like a small community.

+ Foreword
+ Overview
+ Birth of the
...Deep Space Network
+ Function

+ NASA in Australia
+ Woomera
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+ Carnarvon
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+ Orroral Valley
+ Tidbinbilla

+ Tidbinbilla Part 1 | Part 2

+ Deep Space Station 34
+ Deep Space Station 43
+ Deep Space Station 45
+ Deep Space Station 46
+ Tracking
+ Transmitting
+ Signal Processing
+ Timing Systems
+ Movement
+ Drive Systems

+ Personnel
...+ Operations
...+ Systems Engineering
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+ Terms & Meanings

+ NASA
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+ CDSCC