Canberra Deep Space Communications Center
Along the road
Canberra DSC
The Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex is a satellite communication station forming part of the Deep Space Network of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. It is located at Tidbinbilla in the Australian Capital Territory. Opened in 1965, the complex was used for tracking the Apollo Lunar Module, and along with its two sister stations at Goldstone, California and Madrid, Spain is now used for tracking and communicating with NASA’s spacecraft, mailny concetrating on interplanetary and deep space missions. It’s antenna was used to provide a tv broadcat link for first lunar landing as it was the only one capable of providing proper vertical synchronisation. It is managed in Australia by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).
Tidbinbilla Reserve & Namagdi National Park
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is a 54.5 square kilometres protected area, on the fringe of Namadgi National Park. The nature reserve consists of a large valley floor where large herdsof kangaroos can be observed, the Tidbinbilla Mountain and the Gibraltar range. The sides of the valley are steep and relatively undisturbed. The lower slopes of the valley are partly cleared and have a significant history of Aboriginal and European use. Tidbinbilla Mountain is believed to have been used for Aboriginal initiation ceremonies. The word ‘Tidbinbilla’ is Aboriginal in origin and comes from the word Jedbinbilla – a place where boys become men.