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New Next-Gen Dish Adds Muscle to NASA’s Deep Space Network
NASA added a new 34-meter radio frequency antenna, Deep Space Station 23, to its Deep Space Network at the Goldstone complex in California. It is part of an effort to upgrade and expand the agency's communication system.
Why it matters
This addition improves NASA's capacity to communicate with distant spacecraft and reduces reliance on older, expensive 70-meter antennas.
The details
- DSS-23 began operations on Aug. 3, 2026, tracking the Chandra X-ray Observatory.
- The antenna design places sensitive electronic equipment in underground rooms for easier maintenance.
- The project will conclude with Deep Space Station 33 in Canberra by 2029.
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