Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex (GDSCC)

It is one thing to read about space exploration or see pictures or watch a video about it. But, It is quite another to stand at arm’s length from the objects and devices that make space exploration a reality. There is a sense of awe – a sense of human achievement. Does it sound too mushy to say it brings a tear to my eye? (Full disclosure, I always get choked up at the opening credits/montage of the television show Enterprise.)

I’ve visited the Space Shuttle Endeavour at the California Science Center, been lucky enough to have had a tour of SpaceX, and visited the Columbia Memorial Space Center in Downey. So, when I read about the tours offered by the GDSCC, I added it to my ever growing ‘must visit’ list.

I Headed out on a Monday morning. The drive from Los Angeles is long, but familiar for any Angeleno who had driven to Vegas. I have to admit that I stopped at the Barstow outlets while I was in the vicinity. I’m not a big shopper, but I needed some new dungarees for hiking and the kiddos grow like weeds and always seem in need of some item of clothing.

On the drive out there, you’ll notice that the landscape is barren lending a feel to the odd sensation you are visiting some otherworldly place. I checked in at Fort Irwin and headed over to the GDSCC. Fast and prompt service. Even though I kept mistakenly saying Goldstar rather than Goldstone.

Remember, this is a driving tour, you will follow in your car, so make sure you have gas.

I checked in at the GDSCC and awaited our guide. The temperature dropped, and the wind had picked up since leaving LA. Our guide showed up and I believe there were about 10 vehicles in our caravan. We headed out driving further into Fort Irwin. The street signs on base are atypical: warnings regarding tank crossings, desert tortoise crossings, and horses. I saw a wild donkey. A nice bio treat.

We disembarked at the Mars Antenna to visit the Operations Room. I learned that those working at the complex are operations; they send data for analysis to JPL in Pasadena.

The Mars Antenna (DSS-14 MARS) is the largest antenna at 70m. The antenna was expanded in 1988 from 64m. Interesting to note that Harris manages the complex under contract to NASA/JPL. As a geek, when I hear Harris, my first thought is Green Lantern (Ferris).

The antennas of the GDSCC are part of NASA’s Deep Space Network and provide two-way communication with spacecraft exploring deep space. Deep space is defined as anything beyond the earth-moon system. The GDSCC sits on Fort Irwin National Training Center in Barstow, California. Antennas in Canberra, Australia and Madrid, Spain make up the NASA’s Deep Space Network.

Afterwards, we returned to our car and continued with the tour to other antennas.

 

We ended the tour at the on-site museum, where we looked at different artifacts and displays for about 30 minutes and then the tour was over.

 

The Deep Space Network is in communication with over 25 spacecraft, including: Voyager 1, Cassini, Mars Exploration Rover, Chandra, Juno, MSL-Curiosity, Rosetta, … Check their website and the museum which lists all.

For history buffs, the reason they call it Goldstone is there was an old mining town by that name before on the grounds.

Please note, I took this tour in 2016. Tours, if available, have to be booked in advance. Check their website for updated information.