Island Lagoon Tracking Station, Radio telescope at Woomera, South Australia
Island Lagoon Tracking Station was a radio telescope in South Australia equipped with a 26-meter antenna dish that monitored deep space missions and relayed data to control centers around the world. The facility was strategically positioned to minimize radio interference while maintaining access to support infrastructure.
It was established in 1960 as the first Deep Space Network station outside the United States and played a key role in international space communication. Operations ended in 1972 when newer technologies and changing mission needs made the facility obsolete.
The facility employed local engineers and technicians who worked alongside international space agencies to advance satellite communication technology.
The site is located about 25 kilometers south of Woomera and can be viewed from outside, although the facility itself is not open to the public. Visitors should expect good road access and basic facilities in Woomera, as the location lies in a remote area with limited services.
The facility was not just a single telescope but integrated multiple tracking systems including Minitrack, Baker Nunn Camera, and DSS-41 that worked together. This combination allowed different aspects of space missions to be monitored simultaneously and provided more complete data than any single system alone.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
