CANBERRA’S DEEP SPACE COMMUNICATION COMPLEX – exploring the Solar System and beyond.
- Jane @ 4 pairs of Itchy Feet
- May 1, 2015
- 1 min read
This is part of NASA’s Deep Space Network and is one of only 3 tracking facilities in the world responsible for providing vital two way radio contact – pretty cool aye. Located on Discovery Drive, Tidbinbilla about 35kms southwest of the city, it’s open every day (except for Christmas day) from 9am to 5pm. It’s a great little drive and when you are just under 1km away, you will be able to get your first glimpse of the giant 70 metre wide communication ‘dish’ known as Deep Space Station 43. Once at the Visitor Centre, there are lots of exhibits on show. From a full scale replica of the Mars Rover, real spacesuits, astronaut food and space hardware to rockets and more. What we found incredibly exciting was an actual piece of Moon rock over 3.8 billion years old. There are 2 theatres playing movies on space exploration and hands on computer displays which the family can explore and plenty of fact sheets which you can take home. There is the Moon Rock Café, a gift shop and plenty of parking. What may surprise you is that this attraction is FREE admission.

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