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Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex

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The Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex (GDSCC) — commonly called the Goldstone Observatory — is located in California's Mojave Desert (USA). Operated by ITT Corporation for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, its main purpose is to track and communicate with space missions. It includes the Pioneer Deep Space Station, which is a U.S. National Historic Landmark. The current observatory is part of NASA's Deep Space Network. The Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex is one of just three in the world; the others being the Madrid Deep Space Communication Complex and the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex.

Antennas

Goldstone antennas have also been used as sensitive radio telescopes for such scientific investigations as: mapping quasars and other celestial radio sources; radar mapping planets, the Moon, comets and asteroids; spotting comets and asteroids with the potential to impact earth; and the search for ultra-high energy neutrino interactions in the moon by using large-aperture radio antennas.

70m antenna

"Goldstone has the bird"

It is commonly believed that the first US satellite, Explorer I, was confirmed to be in orbit by the use of the phrase "Goldstone has the bird". However, Goldstone was not in operation at the time of Explorer I, and like many often-repeated quotations this is a misquote. The actual phrase was "Gold has it!" 'Gold' was not an abbreviation of Goldstone, but code for a temporary tracking station at Earthquake Valley in the Anza-Borrego desert.

Commemoration

The Pioneer Deep Space Station was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1985.

Complex tours

The Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex conducts tours of its facility and museum to middle and high schools as well as individuals interested in visiting.

Wildlife

While most desert creatures are essentially harmless to man, there are several poisonous snakes and arthropods that everyone should look out for. Be especially wary during the summer and autumn months of the sidewinder and Mojave rattlesnake. In addition to the snakes, you may find any of the following wildlife while at the facility: deer mouse, cactus mouse, gopher snake, desert tortoise, whiptail lizard, horned lizard, California quail, rock pigeon, burrowing owl, hummingbird, rock wren, blister beetle, desert tarantula, and many other insects, reptiles and birds.

See also

• List of radio telescopes
• Apollo 11 missing tapes

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex

• Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex Website
• Goldstone tours
• NASA's Deep Space Network
• JPL: Images of the Deep Space Network Goldstone, California
• JPL: Images of the Deep Space Network Goldstone, California
• JPL Communications Systems and Research Section 332 Website

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