Picture Album of the
DEEP SPACE NETWORK

Pioneer Station at Goldstone, California

NOTE: Click on the image to view it at its highest resolution.

The first station of what would become the Deep Space Network was located at Goldstone and was named after Pioneers 3 and 4, the first spacecraft with which it communicated, in December 1958 and March 1959. The antenna, based on a radio telescope design, was manufactured and erected by the Blaw-Knox Company during a seven-month period. Collins Radio Corporation installed the electronics and the Rucker Company designed the hydraulic drive system. The antenna's communication with Pioneer 4 to a distance of 650,000 kilometers was a record-setting achievement.

1950's      1960's      1970's      1980's      1990's