The Deep Space Network (DSN) is an international network of antennas that supports interplanetary spacecraft missions (e.g., the Mars Science Laboratory and Voyager spacecraft). Without it, we would have a difficult time keeping track of, and communicating with our far-off space robots. In the 50 years since its establishment, the DSN has enabled numerous scientific discoveries within our solar system and beyond! To celebrate this milestone, NASA JPL held a public event as part of their von Karman lecture series.
Watch the event here: Celebrating 50 Years of the NASA Deep Space Network
Check out the DSN's real-time status page: DSN Now
The DSN's farthest "customer," Voyager 1, recently crossed into interstellar space; it's traveling in the space between stars: NASA News Conference: Voyager Reaches Interstellar Space
Check out the DSN's real-time status page: DSN Now
The DSN's farthest "customer," Voyager 1, recently crossed into interstellar space; it's traveling in the space between stars: NASA News Conference: Voyager Reaches Interstellar Space