Deep Space Terminal Demonstration

The Deep Space Terminal (DS-T) was a task that validated the concept of a fully automated, autonomous deep-space ground station. The DS-T successfully demonstrated “lights out”-mode ground-station operations using a Deep Space Network 34-meter beam-waveguide antenna that tracked a NASA deep-space probe orbiting Mars. The DS-T receives, processes, records, and distributes telemetry data to the project, without operator intervention. The DS-T task was a cooperative effort between JPL and industry, leveraging JPL’s specialized knowledge with industry’s fast implementation cycle.