Uplink-Downlink: A History of the Deep Space Network, 1957-1997

by Douglas J. Mudgway, Roger Launius (Editor)

In these pages, the informed reader will discover a simple description of what the Deep Space Network (DSN) is about, and how it works an aspect of NASA's spectacular planetary program that seldom found its way into the popular media coverage of those major events. Future historical researchers will find a complete record of the origin and birth of the DSN, its subsequent development and expansion over the ensuing four decades, and a description of the way in which the DSN was used to fulfill the purpose for which it was created. At the same time, the specialist reader is provided with an abundant source of technical references that address every aspect of the advanced telecommunications technology on which the success of the DSN depended. And finally, archivists, educators, outreach managers, and article writers will have ready recourse to the inner workings of the DSN and how they related to the more publicly visible events of the planetary space program.
722 pages. Hundreds of photographs, illustrations, diagrams and charts.
This is a Print Replica that maintains the formatting and layout of the original edition and offers many of the advantages of standard Kindle books.

Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2002

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very comprehensive and thorough account of the history of the Deep Space Network (DSN), almost 700 pages long. I read this as research for an article I am writing for an astronomy magazine and found it very helpful (I skimmed the parts that were of less interest to me, such as the chapter on the organizational structure). I learned many new things along the way. I sometimes wished that things were explained a bit more. But in general I found the book to be written in an understandable and informative way.

I particularly enjoyed the parts of the book going through the various eras of spaceflight (The Mariner era, the Viking era and so forth), describing the various missions and how DSN was involved in them.

The text got a bit repetetive and confusing at times. That was because the various chapters describing different topics (after going through the eras described above) were written chronologically, but went through the same timeline over and over again, but with a different topic at hand. So it was challenging to keep all the events (missions, DSN upgrades, scientific research etc.) in the right order in my mind relative to each other. For example how the evolution of the antennas fit together with the progress of different spacecrafts, and so on.

The book has a long introduction describing the basics about the solar system, reference systems, trajectories and telecommunication.

I can definitely recommend this book for people who are above-average interested in DSN. Most people probably won’t find ALL the chapters of interest, but it’s a great resource for finding out the things you are curious about when it comes to DSN.

[Brian Page · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alas, I can't give this important and incisive account of NASA's deep space network more than two stars. It is regrettable because the author, Douglas Mudgway was a principle engineer deeply involved with the network and brings wonderful insight into the operation & evolution of the DSN. So, from an academic viewpoint, this work is indispensable. But it's a slog to read. The problem lies in that Uplink - Downlink is really three books in one: it's history of the missions supported by the DSN; it's a history of the administrative evolution of the DSN; and it's a history of the technology of the DSN. There is much repetition. Too much. I suspect that most readers who come to this book will be most curious about the DSN technology and already have a good understanding of the space missions. So, just read chapter 7, "The DSN Technology Program," and if you wish, the next as well, "The Deep Space Network as a Scientific Laboratory." You will be well rewarded and learn much about the amazing technology that allowed the spacecraft to communicate back to earth at mind-boggling distances. And the good news is that you can easily download this book directly from NASA.

[Bart]

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