One of the key elements of spaceflight is the ability to track spacecraft and obtain telemetry that informs ground controllers of the condition of spacecraft and crew. Ground-based "tracking stations" play a key role in these functions, providing tracking and data acquisition services for vehicles in deep space and high Earth orbit and for certain missions in low Earth orbit. These networks of ground stations also supply launch and emergency communications for human missions in space and tracking and data acquisition for aeronautics, balloons, and sounding rocket programs.

The Canberra antenna measures 70 meters (230 feet) in diameter, and is one of three antennae comprising NASA's Deep Space Network communications complexes.

The early years of the space age were marked by the creation of integrated networks of tracking stations that dotted the globe. Tracking ships were also built to provide additional coverage across oceans. In addition, special aircraft...