List of earth stations in Australia explained

A number of historic and current Earth (or ground) stations in Australia are used to communicate and track human-made satellites. Many of the sites are associated with overseas government partnerships established generally with the United States, European Union, and Japan. They are generally run by various Australian Government agencies along with NASA, European Space Agency or the US Military.

List of sites

No. Station Complex Location Overseas country/company involved Purpose Active
1 Island Lagoon Tracking StationMinitrack Radio Tracking Station
Baker-Nunn Camera Optical Tracking Station.
Project Mercury Radio Tracking Stations
Deep Space Probe Radio Tracking Station (85 foot diameter antenna) 		No
2 Space based surveillance. Moved to Pine Gap No
3 Project Mercury (replaced by Carnarvon) No
4 (Unknown) Adelaide Earth Station (Unknown) Adelaide Earth Station Unknown transit Navigational Satellite Program for weather facilities - required an Earth station near Adelaide. Unknown
5 Yes
6 Carnarvon Earth Stations Tracking and Data Acquisition Station for uncrewed scientific and crewed satellites No
7 Carnarvon Earth Stations European Space Agency - Space vehicle tracking Yes
8 (Unknown) Darwin Earth station (Unknown) Darwin Earth station Unknown Mobile Data Acquisition Station for uncrewed scientific satellites and space vehicles. Possibly Shoal Bay Receiving StationUnknown
9 Tracking and Data Acquisition Station, primarily for support of crewed flight No
10 Applications Technology Satellite (ATS) facility No
11 CSIRO, NASA Deep Space Network. Yes
12 Spacecraft Tracking and Data Acquisition Network, DORIS (geodesy)[1] No[2] [3]
13 Yatharagga West Australian Space Centre Yes
14 Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System, ECHELON, Aquacade tracking Yes
15 Meteorological Satellite Earth Station for Japanese and Chinese weather satellites e.g. Himawari Geostationary Meteorological Satellites. Yes
16 ESTRACK for the European Space Agency Yes
17 Australian Defence Satellite Communications StationYes
18 Yatharagga West Australian Space Centre Yes
19 ESTRACK for the European Space Agency operated by the Overseas Telecommunications Commission (Australia) and Parkes Radiotelescope of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Yes
20 Regency Park Optus Earth Station Regency Park Optus Earth StationIntelsat Earth station with 1 tracking and 2 fixed antennae and serves as a Tracking, Telemetry & Control backup site.[4] Yes
21 Belrose Optus Earth Station Belrose Optus Earth Station Belrose is the key operations centre for Optus telecommunications satellite services and controls the Optus satellite fleet. Belrose Satellite Operations comprises teams for satellite control, satellite support, satellite network management, VSAT operations and Earth station support. Belrose also provides launch support and consulting services for non-Optus satellites, whose global operations encompass Norway, Sweden, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Japan. The site hosts a total of 44 antennae, 8 tracking and 36 fixed. It has 61 high power amplifiers for transmission. Yes
22 Lockridge Optus Earth Station Lockridge Optus Earth Station The Lockridge Earth Station supports international and domestic satellite services. It is continuously staffed as a key Tracking, Telemetry & Control facility. It hosts 12 tracking and 10 fixed antennae.Yes
23 Oxford Falls Optus Earth Station Oxford Falls Optus Earth Station The Oxford Falls Earth Station is Optus' international gateway for voice, data and video services from international news gatherers as well as providing international communications for key Australian government departments and pay TV providers. The 8 antennas (4 tracking) at Oxford Falls are pointed to 2 Intelsat satellites, as well as New Skies and Asiasat satellites. Yes
24 Tasmanian Earth Resources Satellite Station Tasmanian Earth Resources Satellite Station Various The Tasmanian Earth Resources Satellite Station (TERSS) is an X-band groundstation designed and built in Australia. TERSS was created by a group of partners including: CSIRO Division of Oceanography, CSIRO Office of Space Science and Applications, The University of Tasmania, The Australian Space Office, The Bureau of Meteorology, The Australian Centre for Remote Sensing (ACRES), The Australian Antarctic Division[5] Yes
25 Uralla Lockheed Martin Earth Station Uralla Lockheed Martin Earth Station Lockheed Martin Australia owns and operates this Earth station to provide telemetry, tracking and command services for a wide range of customers.[6] Yes
26 Mawson Lakes NewSat Earth Station Mawson Lakes NewSat Earth Station 12 antennas from 2.4 to 13 m in diameter, with C and Ku - band capabilities to 12 geosynchronous satellites. Yes
27 Bassendean NewSat Earth Station Bassendean NewSat Earth Station 11 antennas from 2.4 to 13 m in diameter, with C and Ku - band capabilities to 9 geosynchronous satellites. Yes
28 Sydney BoM Earth Station Sydney BoM Earth Station One or more satellite antennas that receive data either in L-band or X-band. The signals are processed by on-site computers and the ingested satellite data is distributed around Australia and internationally. Yes
29 Melbourne BoM Earth Station Melbourne BoM Earth Station One or more satellite antennas that receive data either in L-band or X-band. The signals are processed by on-site computers and the ingested satellite data is distributed around Australia and internationally. Yes
30 Perth WASTAC Earth Station Perth WASTAC Earth Station WASTAC There is one receiver: an L and X-band receiver at Murdoch University, Murdoch. A microwave link exists between the various WASTAC members: Bureau of Meteorology, Landgate's - Satellite Remote Sensing Services, Curtin University of Technology's - Remote Sensing and Satellite Research Group, CSIRO Space Sciences and Technology, Murdoch University, Geoscience Australia[7] Yes
31 Yes
32 One or more satellite antennas that receive data either in L-band or X-band. The signals are processed by on-site computers and the ingested satellite data is distributed around Australia and internationally. Yes
33 ANARESAT satellite communications antenna[8]
A Himawari-8 satellite tracking antenna[9] 		Yes
34 ANARESAT satellite communications antenna
A Himawari-8 satellite tracking antenna 		Yes
35 ANARESAT satellite communications antenna Yes
36 ANARESAT satellite communications antenna Yes
37 CSIRO, NASA Deep Space Network. Yes
38 signals intelligence facility. Yes
39 DORIS (geodesy) beacon moved from Orroral Valley. Yes
40 BLUEsat UNSW/ACSER Groundstation, UNSW, Kensington Kensington, NSW Microsatellite Groundstation [10] Yes
41 Oxford Falls Telstra Earth Station (Sydney Earth Station) Oxford Falls Telstra International Telecommunication Centre Telstra International - Telstra, The Oxford Falls Earth Station (Sydney Earth Station) is a Telstra International gateway for voice, data and video services. It provides diverse international and domestic services to private enterprise and Australian government departments, remote sites, mobility providers and pay TV providers. This site has 22 antennas which are pointed to a variety of satellite positions in the Asia-Pacific Region. Yes
42 Gnangara Telstra Earth Station (Perth Earth Station) Perth Telstra International Telecommunication Centre Telstra International - Telstra, The Gnangara Earth Station (Perth Earth Station) is a Telstra International gateway for voice, data and video services. It provides diverse international and domestic services to private enterprise and Australian government departments, remote sites, mobility providers and pay TV providers. This site has 20 antennas which are pointed to a variety of satellite positions in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Regions. Yes
43 Defence Communications Station (DEFCOMMSTA) Canberra Harman, ACT Defence communications Yes
44 Hume, ACT Yes
45Telstra - BendigoTelstraBendigo, VicTelstra30 Short St, Bendigo VIC 3550Yes
46Telstra - HawthornTelstraHawthorn, VicTelstra-37.82221719521082, 145.03660961011317Yes

Treaties

A number of treaties and other instruments associated with the stations:

Date CountryDetailsStation
United States Naval Research Laboratory and the Department of Supply of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia to establish the Minitrack Radio Tracking Station at Woomera.[11] Island Lagoon Tracking Station
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory of the Smithsonian Institution and the Department of Supply of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia to establish Baker-Nunn Camera Optical Tracking Station at Woomera. Island Lagoon Tracking Station
The first formalised agreement between the US and Australia on Space Vehicle and Communication establishing the early tracking stations of 1957 as well as new stations at Woomera and Perth for Project Mercury, as well as a Deep Space Probe Radio Tracking Station (85 foot diameter antenna) at Woomera. Island Lagoon Tracking Station, Muchea Tracking Station
Transit Navigational Satellite Program for weather facilities - required an Earth station near Adelaide.[12] Unknown
Extending the 1960 agreement to cover Carnarvon, Darwin and what would become Tidbinbilla/Orroral Valley Tracking Station for NASA Deep Space Radio Tracking.[13] Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex, Orroral Valley Tracking Station Carnarvon Tracking Station, Darwin Earth Station
Further formalisation of Tibinbilla and Orroral Valley Tracking Station for a Deep Space Radio Tracking Facility and a Wide Band Command and Data Acquisition Facility.[14] Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex, Carnarvon Tracking Station, Orroral Valley Tracking Station
Addition of a "Tracking and Data Acquisition Station, primarily for support of crewed flight, to be located near Canberra" (Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station).[15] Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station
Addition of an "Applications Technology Satellite (ATS) facility at Cooby Creek, Darling Downs near Toowoomba." (Cooby Creek Tracking Station)[16] Cooby Creek Tracking Station
Confirming the present sites, and adding that a 210-foot-diameter antenna shall be established at the Tidbinbilla Deep Space Station[17] Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex
Turn Around Ranging Station (unspecified) supporting the first Geostationary Meteorological Satellite (GMS or Himarwari 1)[18] Unspecified
Adding Yatharagga to US agreement.[19] Yatharagga
Agreement between the Government of Australia and the European Space Agency for a Co-operative Space Vehicle Tracking Program[20] OTC Satellite Earth Station Carnarvon, Perth International Telecommunications Centre
Confirming the list of active sites.[21] no new sites
Addition of a Turnaround ranging system near Alice Springs in the Northern Territory (Pine Gap).[22] Pine Gap
Turn Around Ranging Station (unspecified) supporting Geostationary Meteorological Satellite-2 (GMS or Himarwari 2)[23] Unspecified - possibly Crib Point Satellite Earth Station
Turn Around Ranging Station (unspecified) supporting Geostationary Meteorological Satellite-3 (GMS or Himarwari 3)[24] Unspecified - possibly Crib Point Satellite Earth Station
Further to the agreement of 1979 identification of sites as Carnarvon (OTC Satellite Earth Station Carnarvon) and Gnangara (Perth) (Perth International Telecommunications Centre) operated by the Overseas Telecommunications Commission (Australia) and Parkes Radiotelescope of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.[25] OTC Satellite Earth Station Carnarvon, Perth International Telecommunications Centre
Extending Pine Gap[26] Pine Gap
Update of active stations to: Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex, Yarragadee, and Alice Springs (Pine Gap)[27] Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex, Yatharagga, Pine Gap
Agreement to support the Geostationary Meteorological Satellite-4 (GMS or Himarwari 4) through a Turn Around Ranging Station (at Crib Point Satellite Earth Station)[28] [29] Crib Point Satellite Earth Station
DORIS Beacon agreementsYatharagga, Orroral Valley Tracking Station, Mount Stromlo Observatory
Agreement to support the Geostationary Meteorological Satellite-5 (GMS or Himarwari 5) through a Turn Around Ranging Station (at Crib Point Satellite Earth Station)[30] Crib Point Satellite Earth Station
Extension of Pine Gap arrangement[31] Pine Gap
Removal of Yarragadee from the agreement.[32] Yatharagga
Agreement with the US on what would become project ECHELON at the Australian Defence Satellite Communications Station[33] [34] [35] [36] Australian Defence Satellite Communications Station
General agreement[37] Unspecified
Addition of a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite Facility at Dongara.[38] Dongara Satellite Station
Extension of 2010 agreement to 2014.[39] N/A
Extension of 2012 agreement to 2018.[40] N/A

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Australia. c\=AU\;o\=Australia Government\;ou\=Geoscience. Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite. www.ga.gov.au. Geoscience Australia. 24 June 2017. EN. 15 May 2014.
  2. Web site: Orroral Geodetic Observatory. ACT Heritage Council. 24 June 2017.
  3. http://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1994/34.html "Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the French Republic on a Programme involving the Establishment and Use of the "DORIS" Precise Satellite Location Beacon System in Australia ATS 34 of 1994”
  4. Web site: Australian Space Communication Stations. www.spaceacademy.net.au. Australian Space Academy. 25 April 2017.
  5. Web site: REMOTE SENSING PROJECT. www.marine.csiro.au. CSIRO. 25 April 2017.
  6. Web site: Lockheed Martin · Satellite Tracking & Control. www.lockheedmartin.com.au. Lockheed Martin Australia. 25 April 2017.
  7. Web site: WASTAC. www.wastac.wa.gov.au. Western Australia Government. 25 April 2017.
  8. Web site: Australian Antarctic Magazine Issue 10. www.antarctica.gov.au. Australian Antarctic Division. 26 April 2017. 1 March 2006. he first satellite earth-station, which includes a 7.3 m dish antenna, was installed and commissioned at Davis in March 1987. Mawson was commissioned in January 1988, Casey in March 1988, and Macquarie Island in December 1988.. 10 August 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190810033549/http://www.antarctica.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/111889/aam-issue10.pdf. dead.
  9. Web site: About environmental satellites. www.bom.gov.au. Bureau of Meteorology. 26 April 2017. en. In order to access this meteorological data the Bureau of Meteorology has high bandwidth internet, as well as satellite data reception sites at Melbourne, Darwin and Perth, as well as Casey and Davis stations in Antarctica..
  10. Web site: BLUEsat Groundstation. BLUEsat UNSW. BLUEsat UNSW. 12 December 2017. BLUEsat.
  11. http://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1960/2.html “Exchange of Notes constituting an Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America relating to Space Vehicle Tracking and Communications. ATS 2 of 1960”
  12. http://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1961/10.html “Exchange of Notes constituting an Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America for Cooperation in a Transit Navigational Satellite Program ATS 10 of 1961 "
  13. http://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1963/6.html “Exchange of Notes constituting an Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America amending the Agreement relating to Space Vehicle Tracking and Communications of 26 February 1960. ATS 6 of 1963”
  14. http://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1963/24.html "Exchange of Notes constituting an Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America to further amend the Agreement relating to Space Vehicle Tracking and Communications of 26 February 1960 ATS 24 of 1963 "
  15. http://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1965/2.html "Exchange of Notes constituting an Agreement between the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Government of the United States of America to further amend the Agreement relating to Space Vehicle Tracking and Communications of 26 February 1960. ATS 2 of 1965”
  16. http://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1965/21.html "Exchange of Notes constituting an Agreement between the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Government of the United States of America to further amend the Agreement relating to Space Vehicle Tracking and Communications of 26 February 1960 ATS 21 of 1965 "
  17. http://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1970/4.html “Exchange of Notes constituting an Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America concerning Space Vehicle Tracking and Communications Facilities. ATS 4 of 1970”
  18. http://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1977/17.html "Exchange of Notes constituting an Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of Japan concerning Co-operation on the Project for the Geostationary Meteorological Satellite System ATS 17 of 1977 ".
  19. http://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1978/12.html "Exchange of Notes constituting an Agreement amending the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America concerning Space Vehicle Tracking and Communication Facilities of 25 March 1970 ATS 12 of 1978 "
  20. http://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1979/9.html “Agreement between the Government of Australia and the European Space Agency for a Co-operative Space Vehicle Tracking Program. ATS 9 of 1979”
  21. http://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1980/15.html "Exchange of Notes constituting an Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America concerning Space Vehicle Tracking and Communication Facilities ATS 15 of 1980 "
  22. http://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1981/17.html "Exchange of Notes between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America constituting an Agreement to amend the Agreement concerning Space Vehicle Tracking and Communication Facilities of 29 May 1980 ATS 17 of 1981 "
  23. http://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1981/19.html "Exchange of Notes constituting an Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of Japan concerning Co-operation on the Project for the Geostationary Meteorological Satellite-2 System ATS 19 of 1981 ".
  24. http://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1985/14.html "Exchange of Notes constituting an Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of Japan concerning Co-operation on the Project for the Geostationary Meteorological Satellite-3 System ATS 14 of 1985".
  25. http://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1987/29.html "Exchange of Letters constituting an Agreement between the Government of Australia and the European Space Agency to amend the Agreement for a Co-operative Space Vehicle Tracking Program of 15 June 1979 ATS 29 of 1987”
  26. http://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1988/36.html "Exchange of Notes constituting an Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America amending the Agreement on the Establishment of a Joint Space Research Facility of 9 December 1966, as amended [Pine Gap] ATS 36 of 1988”
  27. http://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1990/15.html "Exchange of Notes constituting an Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America to amend and extend the Agreement concerning Space Vehicle Tracking and Communication Facilities of 29 May 1980 ATS 15 of 1990”
  28. http://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1985/28.html "Exchange of Notes constituting an Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of Japan concerning Cooperation on the Geostationary Meteorological Satellite-4 System ATS 28 of 1985".
  29. Web site: Crib Point Satellite Earth Station: celebrating 20 years of service - Social Media Blog - Bureau of Meteorology. media.bom.gov.au. Bureau of Meteorology. 24 April 2017. en.
  30. http://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1997/32.html "Exchange of Notes constituting an Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of Japan concerning Cooperation on the Geostationary Meteorological Satellite-5 System ATS 32 of 1997".
  31. http://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/2000/27.html “Exchange of Notes constituting an Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America to further extend in force the Agreement relating to the Establishment of a Joint Defence Facility at Pine Gap of 9 December 1966, as amended (Canberra, 4 June 1998). ATS 27 of 2000”
  32. http://www3.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/2000/32.html "Exchange of Notes constituting an Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America to further amend and extend the Agreement concerning Space Vehicle Tracking and Communication Facilities of 29 May 1980, as amended (Canberra, 4 August 2000). ATS 32 of 2000”
  33. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/2007/15.html "Agreement Between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America on Cooperation in Science and Technology for Homeland/Domestic Security Matters (Washington, 21 December 2005) ATS 15 of 2007"
  34. Australia-US Joint Communications Facility To Be Hosted At Geraldton . Brendan Nelson, Minister for Defence . 2007-02-15 . 2011-08-11 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070523052129/http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/NelsonMintpl.cfm?CurrentId=6375 . 23 May 2007 . dmy .
  35. MOU Signed For Australia-US Joint Military Communications Ground Station . Department of Defence . 2007-11-08 . https://archive.today/20121127003933/http://www.defence.gov.au/media/DepartmentalTpl.cfm?CurrentId=7242 . dead . 2012-11-27 . 2011-08-11 .
  36. Australian and United States Defence Satellite Cooperation at Geraldton . Department of Defence . 2008-07-21 . https://archive.today/20121129044751/http://www.defence.gov.au/media/DepartmentalTpl.cfm?CurrentId=8007 . 2012-11-29 . dead . 2011-08-11.
  37. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/ATS/2012/29.html "Agreement between the Government of Australia and the European Space Agency for a Co-operative Space Vehicle Tracking Program (Capetown, 5 October 2011) - ATS 29 of 2012”
  38. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/2010/9.html "Amendment and Extension of the Agreement Between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America concerning Space Vehicle Tracking and Communications Facilities Effected by Exchange of Notes at Canberra May 29, 1980, as amended (Canberra, 25 February 2010) - ATS 9 of 2010”
  39. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/ATS/2012/4.html "Exchange of Notes constituting an Agreement to amend the Agreement between the (Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and theGovernment of Australia concerning Space Vehicle Tracking and Communication Facilities (Canberra, 11 January 2012) - ATS 4 of 2012”
  40. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/ATS/2014/8.html "Exchange of Notes, done at Canberra on 21 November 2013, constituting an Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Australia to amend the Agreement concerning Space Vehicle Tracking and Communication Facilities of 29 May 1980, as amended (Canberra, 21 November 2013) - ATS 8 of 2014”

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