OTC DISH IN CARNARVON MAKES HISTORY WITH SATELLITE SIGNAL RECEPTION AFTER OVER 40 YEARS!

Milky Way over Carnarvon OTC PC: Michael Goh

BY ASAD KHAN

After more than four decades of inactivity, the iconic Overseas Telecommunications Commission (OTC) satellite dish in Carnarvon, a coastal town situated approximately 900 kilometres north of Perth, in Western Australia has successfully received a satellite signal, marking a significant milestone in its restoration and future capabilities.

This accomplishment confirms that the dish is now capable of receiving signals and sets the stage for it to transmit radar pulses to satellites orbiting 37,000 kilometers above the Earth.

The restoration process, undertaken by ThothX Australia, has been a multi-year effort. Brendan Quine, CEO of ThothX Australia, provided insights into the progress and future direction of the project.

He emphasized the strategic importance of Western Australia’s location for monitoring geostationary spacecraft. These spacecraft, positioned 36,000 kilometers above the Earth's surface, require precise tracking to ensure situational awareness of space objects.

“We repurpose existing large radio antennas into deep space radar to provide data on objects in high-altitude stationary orbits,” he said.

Mr Quine said that the Carnarvon dish’s location was ideal for monitoring these spacecraft and measuring their positions with high precision. The goal is to facilitate space management and spacecraft coordination as part of the ongoing restoration process.

When ThothX Australia first acquired the dish, it was in poor condition. The antenna had not moved since 1982, and initial tasks focused on restoring its mobility.

This included flushing the mechanical systems with fresh oil, followed by cleaning the surfaces, which had become a haven for birds due to the dish’s long inactivity.

Mr Quine humorously recalled the challenge of removing bird droppings from the drive areas and surfaces of the antenna, a task crucial before beginning mechanical refurbishments.

In addition to mechanical repairs, the restoration involved cleaning and painting a small test area of the dish to assess the effectiveness of new coatings.

Mr Quine said the challenges of repainting the large aluminum structure, a task requiring careful consideration of paint types to ensure proper adherence and durability.

With the successful reception of satellite signals, the project is now progressing toward its next milestones.

The restoration of the OTC dish not only revives an iconic piece of Australia’s telecommunications history but also advances the country’s role in satellite communication and space management.