What is 'DSN'

Definition: DSN (Deep Space network) is a network of large antennas and communication facilities, developed and established in the US by the NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). It is spread across the world to support communication with spacecrafts on interplanetary missions. The DSN also provides the ability to support some Earth-orbiting missions (at Sun-Earth LaGrange points, at lunar distances, and in highly elliptical Earth orbits). DSN (Deep Space network) is a network of large antennas and communication facilities, developed and established in the US by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). It is spread across the world, to support communication with spacecrafts on interplanetary missions. The DSN also provides the ability to support some Earth-orbiting missions (at Sun-Earth LaGrange points, at lunar distances, and in highly elliptical Earth orbits).

Description: Over the years, DSN has helped in improving our understanding of the universe and the solar system by providing vital radio and radar astronomy observations. The first network for DSN was established by NASA’s Jet propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in January 1958. Three portable radio tracking stations were deployed in California, Nigeria and Singapore to support receiving telemetry and plotting orbit of the first successful U.S. satellite, Explorer 1.

DSN presently consists of three strategically placed communications facilities approximately 120 degrees apart from each other around the Earth. This strategic placement helps in constant uninterrupted observation of the spacecraft as the earth rotates, by smooth handover from one site to another. The three sites are situated at Goldstone in California (USA), Madrid in Spain, and Canberra in Australia. These sites were chosen because of their bowl shaped semi-mountainous terrain which helps in shielding radio frequency interruptions.

The DSN has high-gain parabolic reflector antennas that are fully steerable and make it the largest and most sensitive scientific telecommunications network in the world. These powerful antennas assist in acquiring telemetry and scientific data from spacecraft, transmitting commands and uploading software modifications to spacecraft, tracking position/velocity of spacecraft, and performing various experiments.

Indian Deep Space Network (IDSN) was inaugurated on 17th October 2008. It is located in Byalalu village, about 40 km from Bengaluru. Similar networks are run by Japan, Russia, China, and Europe.

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