Deep Space Station 51 (DSS-51), a 26 meter (85 foot) antenna, was installed near Hartebeesthoek, South Africa, outside Johannesburg. Completed in 1961, DSS-51 first supported Ranger 1’s mission to test systems for future missions. South Africa was an ideal location for the third Deep Space Network (DSN) station as it is roughly 120 degrees of …
Deep Space Station 51 (DSS-51), a 26 meter (85 foot) antenna, was installed near Hartebeesthoek, South Africa, outside Johannesburg. Completed in 1961, DSS-51 first supported Ranger 1’s mission to test systems for future missions. South Africa was an ideal location for the third Deep Space Network (DSN) station as it is roughly 120 degrees of longitude from Goldstone, California and Canberra, Australia. Operations ceased in 1974 due to changing flight requirements and the political environment.