Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex

Located 35 kilometres southwest of the city of Canberra, in the beautiful hills and farmland of the Tidbinbilla valley lays a remarkable place, the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex.

One of only three stations in NASA’s Deep Space Network, it is responsible for providing two-way radio communication with dozens of robotic spacecraft exploring the Solar System and beyond.

The Complex is dominated by the largest steerable antenna dish in the Southern Hemisphere known as Deep Space Station 43 (DSS43). The giant dish is 70 metres in diameter and the entire antenna is the height of a 22-storey building and weighs a total of 7.5 million kilograms.

Three 34-metre antennas are also spread across the valley Complex, each communicating with different spacecraft throughout the day. The entire site operates 24/7 and is staffed by an all-Australian team of up to 90 engineers, technicians and spacecraft communication experts.

At the front of the Complex is DSS46, which is one of the most famous dishes in the world, as it’s the actual antenna which received and relayed to the entire world those historic images of astronaut Neil Armstrong walking on the Moon in July 1969.

Key features

Kids’ club
No

Educational programs
Yes

Lockers
No

Restaurants
Yes

BBQ areas
No

Help desk
Yes

Family ticket packages
Entry is free

Guided tours
Yes

Wheelchair accessible
Yes

Daily shows
No

Kids area
Yes

Parenting rooms
Yes

Play

The Visitor Centre is open for you to learn about the role that Australia plays in the exploration of space and take in magnificent views of the largest antenna complex in the Southern Hemisphere.

There are exhibits on the past, present and future of space exploration and two theatres running continuous films on space missions and the discoveries being made.

See a piece of the Moon that’s over 3.8-billion-years-old, spacesuits, spacecraft models, plus flown space hardware and historic memorabilia.

There is an outdoor playground for kids and the Moon Rock Café is open for refreshments and gifts.

Getting there

The Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex is located 35kms southwest of the city, about a 45 minute drive through the beautiful Tidbinbilla valley.

The Complex is located at 421 Discovery Drive, Tidbinbilla, on Canberra’s Tourist Drive 5. From the north, travel along the Cotter and Paddys River roads to Discovery Drive, or from the south along Tidbinbilla Road to Discovery Drive. For GPS users enter the station’s name or enter Discovery Drive, Paddys River District.