| DESCRIPTION |
The NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) comprises three Deep Space Communications Complexes (DSCCs) spaced by approximately 120 degrees in longitude and within about 40 degrees latitude of Earth's equator. As the Earth rotates, this configuration provides nearly continuous coverage of spacecraft in the ecliptic -- that is, spacecraft flying to or orbiting most solar system objects. The three DSCCs are as the Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex (GDSCC) near Barstow, California, which is managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL); the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex (CDSCC) in Tidbinbilla, Canberra, Australia, which is managed by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO); and the Madrid Deep Space Communication Complex (MDSCC) in Robledo de Chevala, Spain, which is managed by Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aeroespacial. Each DSCC includes several Deep Space Stations (DSSs, or antennas), a Signal Processing Center (SPC), and administrative and support facilities. Each DSCC handles several types of data including: frequency and timing, tracking, telemetry, command, monitor, radio science, and very long baseline interferometry. These data types support uplink (to spacecraft) or downlink (from spacecraft) operations or passive reception. Data received from spacecraft are relayed via the local SPC to the Network Operations Control Center (NOCC) at JPL in Pasadena, where they are distributed to the offices responsible for each spacecraft. Commands, generated in those offices, are sent via the NOCC, SPC, and DSS to the spacecraft. The antennas are divided according to aperture size into subnets. For more information, see https://www.nasa.gov/communicating-with-missions/dsn/
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