Deep Space Network – Paradigm changes for cost-efficiency

Abstract

The Deep Space Network (DSN) was established in 1963, to support missions of NASA and its partner agencies into deep space. To meet this objective, the DSN has three international sites (Goldstone, in the USA; Near Canberra, Australia; near Madrid, Spain). Each site is equipped with state-of-the-art, unique equipment, primarily large (34m and 70m diameter) fully steerable antennas, very sensitive front ends (cryogenically cooled, with typical system noise temperatures well below 40 degrees Kelvin) and high-power transmitters (typically, 20 kW continuous Wave). The DSN performance has been exceptional, from a technical perspective, as demonstrated by the spectacular results from DSN-supported spacecraft throughout the solar system and beyond. However, the performance came with a price, literally - it required a significant staff, 24x7, to operate the DSN and an equally significant staff to maintain the unique equipment. During the last decade, the DSN has embarked on two paradigm change efforts, leveraging on best-practices available from industry, with the objective of reducing the annual cost for operations and maintenance, while at the same time maintaining (or even improving) technical performance levels. (Improvement could occur for example if the operator/technician errors are reduced). The first effort is an operations paradigm change. The DSN is already transitioning, in multiple steps, from one-link-per-operator and 24x7 staffing at several control centers to multiple-links-per-operator, and day-time only operations using a follow-the-sun operations approach enabled by its three globally distributed sites. The second effort is a maintenance paradigm change, unifying the maintenance practices at the three DSN sites and optimizing maintenance using metrics derived from a common, COTS tool. This paper describes these paradigm changes, quantifies the cost reductions, and identifies the careful monitoring to assure that technical performance is maintained.