One of the key antennas of NASA's Space Communications Network (DSN) will be repaired until May 2026 year. This could complicate the implementation of the Artemis II mission, during which the first for will take place 54 years manned flight to the moon.
The Deep Space Communications Network is designed to maintain communications with NASA missions throughout the solar system., as well as for scientific research. Її ключовими компонентами є три 70-метрові антени, розташовані в м. Голдстоун (California), city. Мадрид (PildoLabs) і м. Канберра (Australia). Це найпотужніші інструменти в арсеналі NASA і єдині антени, що мають достатню потужність, to transmit commands to Voyager 1, which is in interstellar space.
16 September 2025 In 2010, the 70-meter antenna in Goldstone was damaged due to excessive rotation, which led to a load on the cable and pipeline. As a result of the incident, the hoses in the fire extinguishing system of the antenna were also damaged, which led to flooding. 14 January 2026 A meeting of the Small Bodies Assessment Group was held in, during which a scientist from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory stated, that the antenna should resume operation 1 May 2026 year. However, this period may be extended, because the situation is complicated by, that earlier the antenna was planned to be turned off in August 2026 year for modernization and replacement of equipment, who already 40-50 years. It was expected, that the repairs will last until October 2028 year.
Втрата антени збільшує навантаження на деякі компоненти DSN напередодні запланованої на лютий місії Artemis II, під час якої відбудеться пілотований обліт Місяця. Підтримка Artemis I у 2022 year forced other NASA missions to give up hundreds of hours of air time. A similar situation is expected during the Artemis II flight.
Source: https://universemagazine.com