Deep Space Network

@Nasa

The NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) is an international network of antennas. The DSN provides a communication link between the earth and the rovers in space and on Mars.

The DSN consists of three deep-space communications facilities placed approximately 120 degrees apart around the world:

•  At Goldstone in California 's Mojave Desert

•  Near Madrid, Spain

•  Near Canberra, Australia.

This strategic placement permits constant observation of spacecraft as the Earth rotates on its own axis.

The DSN has the following properties:

Size and Strength

The DSN antennas are 34 meters and 70 meters respectively. These antennas enable us to communicate with spacecraft millions of miles away. The larger the antenna, the stronger the signal and greater the amount of information sent and received.

Prevent Busy signals

The DSN is used to communicate with all the satellites and spacecrafts traveling around in space. As of today there are 28 spacecrafts in space, trying to study or land on various celestial bodies. There is no doubt that the DSN antennas are very busy. A sophisticated scheduling system with a team of hundreds of negotiators around the world ensures that each mission's priorities are met.

When the mission reports are critical, many antennas on Earth track the signals from the spacecraft in order to prevent loss of communication.