We've just had a Servo Tech retire and to ensure his legacy lives on we are finding little gems added to our maintenance calendar. I particularly liked the "catch Emu on dish surface". Its like having a calendar that gives a daily joke each day. Thanks John and all the best.😂

Some nasty weather starting to hit the complex. Just made it back to the ops room before the rain started. Luckily only DSS36 SOHO so S-band which is OK but the DSS35 on Juno both X/ka Band will see an impact from the weather. DSS34,43 are on maintenance.

No its not a DSN Now issue. Currently our network is down for mission net maintenance. Every man, women and their dogs are piggy backing on this time to get jobs done around the network that could have a mission impact if done at any other time.

Both Canberra and Madrid antenna will be covering the @NASAJuno Perijove number 71 coming up in around 5 hours. Canberra's DSS43 (shown) and 35 are covering approach and occultation, Madrid's DSS63 and 53 the occultation and departure. 70m-X Band. 34BWG X,Ka (Radio Science)
Photo DSS43 Juno

After last weeks official groundbreaking for the DSN's newest antenna DSS33, the official groundwork has now started. New access roads and areas for keeping the soil from the yet to be dug hole are being cleared.

Currently on Canberra's DSS36 Astrobotic's Griffin Lander is conducting ground data systems (GDS) testing with the project. Tests confirm DSN compatibility and include simulated telemetry and tracking and command delivery. Launch planned for late 2025. Madrid Ops has DSN control.

Parker has safely exited perihelion.. again. The Canberra's DSS35 has just acquired the downlink and receiving good telemetry following its closest approach. The playback of its collected science data will begin in a few days.

Follow the support eyes.nasa.gov/apps/dsn-now...

Currently Goldstone's 70m antenna DSS14 has put its Solar System Radar hat on and is giving Asteroid 2014 TN17 a good hammering with its 500kw radar specific transmitter as it sees its Earth closest approach. Spacecraft comms is pretty cool, but this is next level.

Today is the last for @esa.int 's Gaia spacecraft before being "passivated" by the mission. Its already left its science collecting L2 position and in a heliocentric orbit well away from Earth. The DSN will miss you 😢. Congratulations on a great mission!
www.esa.int/Science_Expl...

The DSN is still actively supporting the Lunar Trailblazer project in its spacecraft recovery attempts. From the NASA eyes projection you can see why, the spacecraft will have another lunar flyby in early May and then July. Its hoped its changing orientation may help to charge it

Canberra's DSS35 supporting Parker Solar Probe as it approaches the Sun for another flyby. Check out the subreflector shadow over the dish hole, it's pretty darn close to covering it. Parker has now configured to beacon mode to provide basic comms on spacecraft health.

A clear night sky over the Canberra complex and its great to be able to see the planets we're pointing at with our antennas. DSS 34 is pointing at Jupiter for Juno, DSS 35 is pointing at Mars for Maven.

I know the DSN has three 70m antenna around the world but this shot is the quintessential Australian photo. Parrots in foreground and the warning sign for snakes seen in the area. Oh, and a stunning backdrop.

An early start for me this morning and I just managed to catch sunrise over DSS43 tracking @NASAVoyager 2.

Cosmic Fast Radio Bursts (FRB) were first discovered at the
@CSIRO_ATNF Parkes Radio Telescope in 2007. The international Radio Astronomy community is now racing to uncover what causes these brief and powerful events. The DSN is involved with DSS43 in Canberra currently supporting.

I often go for a walk around the complex to get my steps up. Today I found myself with a big grin on the face. Perfect temperature, slight cooling breeze on the back, smell of freshly cut grass, great views and fluffy clouds... and NO FLIES!! DSS43 on Voyager 2, DSS34 on TESS.

How low can you go🎶 The Korean Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter mission (Danuri) is about to get even more exciting with its altitude above the moon being reduced from 100km down to 60km. There will be two burns required to accomplish the maneuver. Madrid's DSS65 currently supporting

Thanks to @coastal8049.bsky.social for highlighting @bsky.app's existence. I've now broken out of the Twitterverse and will be posting to both in the future. It also gives me an out if I completely get the sh*ts with X.