(Space Fellowship) Historic Deep Space Network Antenna Starts Major Surgery

By , Posted 03/10/10

Link: http://spacefellowship.com/news/art18990/historic-deep-space-network-antenna-...

(NASA) - Like a hard-driving athlete whose joints need help, the giant "Mars antenna" at NASA's Deep Space Network site in Goldstone, Calif. has begun major, delicate surgery. The operation on the historic 70-meter-wide (230-foot) antenna, which has received data and sent commands to deep space missions for over 40 years, will replace a portion of the hydrostatic bearing assembly. This assembly enables the antenna to rotate horizontally. The rigorous engineering plans call for lifting about  [...]