Picture Album of the
DEEP SPACE NETWORK

64-Meter Antenna at Robledo de Chavela, Spain

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As part of its need to provide continuous coverage of missions requiring the support of large-aperture antennas, NASA selected Robledo de Chavela, Spain as the site of a new 64-meter antenna (DSS 63), to be collocated with DSS 62. Collins Radio Company and its European subcontractors began construction on June 18, 1970, and completed their work on January 2, 1973. The first operational uses of the antenna occurred during the Pioneer 10 encounter with Jupiter in December 1973 and the Mariner 10 encounter with Venus in February 1974. Prince (later King) Juan Carlos (at the far right in the photo) and NASA Administrator James C. Fletcher (not in this photo) attended the formal dedication of the antenna, held on May 10, 1974.

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