Deep Space Station 36
Deep Space Station 36 is a Beam Wave Guide, 34-metre diameter antenna. The antenna commenced operations in October 2016.
Quick Stats
First year of Operation: 2016
| Type: | Azimuth-Elevation |
| Beam Wave Guide |
Diameter: 34 metres
Height: 35 metres
| Transmit: | X-Band (7145-7235 MHz) |
| S-Band (2025-2120 MHz) |
| Receive: | X-Band (8200-8600MHz) |
| S-Band (2200-2300 MHz) | |
| Ka-Band (31.8-32.3 GHz) |
| Accuracy: | within 0.004° (pointing) |
| within 0.2mm (surface RMS) |
Turning: 0.8° per second
| Winds: | Stow - steady at 72km/h |
| gusts +88km/h | |
| Design Max. - 160km/h |
Deep Space Station 36 (DSS-36) was built from 2012 to 2016, as part of the Deep Space Network's Aperture Enhancement Program (DAEP), coming into official service on 1 October, 2016. It was officially opened on 3 November, 2016.
The antenna is very similar in structure to DSS-45, however the transmission and reception equipment is located underground rather than in the centre of the dish. The radio signal is guided from the subreflector through a hole in the surface of the dish and on to the receiving equipment via a system of reflecting mirrors inside a large tube. The reverse process allows transmission. This design is called 'Beam Wave Guide'.
Locating the transmission and reception equipment underground reduces the weight on the dish, minimising the strain on the antenna structure, and also further isolates the electronics from radio noise. An added advantage of the Beam Wave Guide antenna design is that the receiving and transmitting equipment does not tip with the dish.
Find more photos of Deep Space Station 36 in our Gallery.