The U.S. and Australian Governments participated in the ground breaking ceremony for the first 34 meter Beam Waveguide (BWG) antenna to be built at the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex (CDSCC). Starting in 2002, multiple studies were conducted to determine the most cost effective and technically feasible solution for retiring the 70 meter antennas. These antennas were built over 40 years ago and have begun showing their age. Parts have become difficult to find and maintenance costs are high and continue to increase. These antennas present both physical and technological limitations to potential upgrades needed to support future mission needs. The Deep Space Network Aperture Enhancement Project (DAEP) will replace the 70 meter antennas with arrays of four 34 meter antennas by 2025.
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