Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex, Deep space station in Barstow, California
The Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex is a facility in the Mojave Desert near Barstow, California, operating several large parabolic antennas. The largest dish measures 70 meters (230 feet) in diameter and serves to communicate with deep space probes.
The facility began operations in 1958 and became part of NASA's Deep Space Network. It played a crucial role in early lunar missions and later enabled communication with probes traveling to Mars, Jupiter, and beyond.
The visitor center at the historic Harvey House in Barstow provides educational programs about space exploration and NASA's communication systems to school groups. This public facility allows visitors to learn more about the complex's role in transmitting data between Earth and distant space probes.
Tours are available only on select weekdays and require advance registration and security clearance through Fort Irwin. The journey involves remote desert roads, so bringing sufficient water and using a reliable vehicle is advisable.
The station forms one third of a global network with facilities in Madrid and Canberra, positioned 120 degrees apart. This arrangement ensures that at least one antenna can maintain contact with space probes at all times as Earth rotates.
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