Automating the operations of NASA's deep space network 26-meter antennas

A development effort has been embarked on with the goal of improving the automation of some key components of NASA's Deep Space Network. This automation is intended to allow the DSN to support more missions with smaller budgets and fewer people. The development of these automation capabilities required not only a new set of hardware and software components, but also a significant change to the operational concepts that have been used to drive the design of the DSN for the last 20 years. This change to the DSN's operational scenarios should have an impact on future developments for all components of the DSN.