Construction starts on new deep space antenna south of Geraldton

Construction has begun on a new deep space antenna south of Geraldton which will support investigations into planets and far-off galaxies. Based in New Norcia, the 660-tonne antenna project is a joint undertaking between the European Space Agency and the Australian Space Agency. The antenna will be fitted with state-of-the-art technology for deep-space communication, including an ‘antenna feed’ that will be cryogenically cooled to around -263C and will increase data return by up to 40 per cent. It will be able to detect signals far weaker than those from a mobile phone - if there was one - on the surface of Mars. The technology will support ESA missions such as Juice, which is due to launch in 2023 on a journey to Jupiter’s icy moons and the Vigil mission to detect dangerous solar activity. It will also be used to assist the Euclid space telescope to investigate dark matter and dark energy. The start of construction on the project was marked at a ceremony in New Norcia last week, with a plaque unveiled Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic and ESA’s Yves Doat. Australian Space Agency head Enrico Palermo said the project would go far to grow the local space exploration sector. “This project will extend Australia and Western Australia’s pedigree and heritage in deep space communications, which can be traced right back to the 1950’s,” he said. “It will also unlock the exchange of new technical know-how, as Australian suppliers help design, develop and test the antenna.”