Deep Space Station 43

Cool place to visit if you're into space, well worth the drive

Put a dirty big spotlight on me whilw i was chillin in the carpark at night. It was rather RUUUDE lol

Deep Space Station 43 (DSS-43) was constructed in 1969 to 1973 as a 64-metre diameter antenna. DSS-43 supported, as needed, the Apollo 17 mission to the Moon before the antenna's official opening in 1973. It was extended from a 64-metre diameter antenna to a 70-metre diameter in 1987 to enhance its capabilities for the Voyager 2 1989 encounter with Neptune. It is the largest steerable parabolic antenna in the Southern Hemisphere. The massive structure, weighing more than 3000 tonnes, rotates on a film of oil approximately 0.17-mm thick. The reflector surface is made up of 1,272 aluminium panels with a total surface area of 4180 square metres. The outer panels are perforated, allowing rain and wind to pass through them.

Wow just wow, a must place to visit

Amazing drive to the site and fantastic views of the overall establishment. The only disappointment is that you dont get to see the large dish up close..... very restricted to the Cafe only..... long way to go to look thru a window

Quite interesting and not too far from the city. My only issue was not with the place itself, but there was a disgusting number of grasshoppers flying around on the way there, and there were a bunch stuck to the front of car when we arrived back in the city. Overall a nice place to visit, just give your car a good wash afterwards haha

Great for the space loving kids

Thanks for a great weekend. A must visit for any space nerd.

An impressive piece of engineering. The best view is through the 3 metre fence on the left of the approach to the visitor's centre, but the most frequently used viewing position is from the visitor centre cafe balcony.

Their work commanding Voyager is a game changer.