Tidbinbilla, ACT, Australia

Tidbinbilla Deep Space Communication Complex

The Tidbinbilla Deep Space Communication Complex was opened in March 1965, with Deep Space Antenna 42. (It was originally known as DSIF 42 – DSIF standing for Deep Space Instrumentation Facility.) It had become operational in December 1964.

The station is just 18 kilometres south west of the centre of Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory. It is shielded from the radio noise of Canberra by a range of hills to the east. As Canberra has grown, the nearest suburb (Kambah) is only 8km away at its nearest point.

Tidbinbilla was established as a Deep Space Tracking Station. However, during Apollo, Tidbinbilla had a dual role. A new wing was added to the Operations building, and Unified S-Band receiving and transmitting equipment was installed. This was a virtual extension of Honeysuckle Creek (20 km to the south), to which it was connected by microwave link.

Thus, during Apollo, the DSS-42 antenna was shared between the Deep Space Network (managed by JPL) and the Manned Space Flight Network (managed by the Goddard Space Flight Center).

Welcome to Tidbinbilla! Photo taken in 1971, by Tom Sheehan during a visit.

The original Tidbinbilla 85' antenna (DSS-42). This was the only antenna at Tid until the 64m antenna was completed in 1972.

Another view of the DSS-42 antenna. Taken by Tom Sheehan, early 1971.

See also these photos from Les Whaley (scanned by Mike Dinn).

I hope to have an introduction to Tidbinbilla here, including background to Apollo –

in particular, support of Surveyor.

Any contributions, stories, photos are most welcome!