Introduction

The Deep Space Exploration Society is a Colorado nonprofit organization that exists to foster the exploration and understanding of space by preparing students, members and the public to participate in that exploration. We facilitate experiments designed to expand our knowledge of space and execute ground based missions designed to support those experiments. The unique contribution we hope to provide to future exploratory missions is a low cost alternative satellite downlink groundstation and tool for pursuing radio astronomy.

Our facility consists of two fine old 60 ft parabolic dish antennas capable of receiving radio signals over a wide range of frequencies (100 MHz to 10 GHz) from celestial objects or space craft. This facility, located west of Longmont, CO was used for many years in research until its retirement. Our challenge over the last several years has been to restore and update the facility to provide a compelling alternative to the very expensive Deep Space Network antennas (located in the western US) using volunteer effort and the very limited resources available to us.

A slide show that presents a summary of DSES capabilities for research and education is available here (2.5 mb ppt) and a pamphlet describing DSES and containing a membership application form is available here (1.2 mb pdf).

Organization

The Deep Space Exploration Society (DSES) is incorporated as a non-profit organization in the State of Colorado. Its primary purposes are research and education. DSES operates the radio dishes on Table Mountain under a Cooperative Research Agreement with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Institute for Telecommunication Sciences authorized under the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986.

In 2005 DSES received approval of its application to the IRS for a 501(c)(3) classification. This will make it possible for DSES members to more easily apply for grants and contracts for performing research.

DSES History

The Deep-Space Exploration Society (DSES) was incorporated in 1991 and was the outgrowth of an effort to return the Table Mountain antenna facility to active use after many years of dormancy. The project was undertaken by a group of amateur radio operators, scientists, engineers and educators. Early efforts of the group were almost 100% focused on maintenance and upgrading of the buildings and large dish antennas. New drive systems were acquired and installed, repairs and modifications to the building were completed, and more modern test and operating equipment was procured. As the systems were upgraded and made operational other projects became possible. An early spinoff of our efforts became the Edge of Space Sciences ( EOSS) nonprofit group, which launches high altitude research balloons. DSES tracks and recovers data for about 50% of their launches. We supported at various times the Mars Global Relay mission, the Air Force Academy Falcon Gold Satellite mission and others.

DSES also seeks to involve students in the use and continuing development of the site. Students from a University of Colorado engineering class developed a tracking and control program for our facility known as Paratrack.

Recently we have begun utilizing the upper dish in a drift scan mode to acquire data from cosmic radio sources. This is being done to test and calibrate some newly acquired radio astronomy equipment. This is expected to be an ongoing project in amateur radio astronomy research and education. We hope to also involve high school and college students in this effort. Currently about 50% of our group's volunteer time goes into continuing maintenance and upgrading of facilities and equipment. Much has been accomplished in the last year.

Future plans include a system for making real time data from the antenna available on the internet and later the capability to allow remote command and control of the antenna from the internet. This will provide a convenient way for DSES members to monitor their projects remotely and thereby expand the utilization of the facility. In time it may also become possible for outside researchers and groups to remote operate the facility as a research tool for their own projects.

How To Contact DSES

Mail:

Deep Space Exploration Society

C/O Rex Craig

5921 Niwot Road

Longmont, CO 80503

(303) 530-7251

 

(303) 442-1118 (antenna site)

Board of Directors and Officers

• Rex Craig: President
  
• Jamie Riggs: Vice President
  
• Peter Goldman: Secretary
  
• Michael Lowe: Treasurer
  
• Joseph DiVerdi
  
• John Ewan
  
• Don Lewis
  

DSES Board Meetings

Board meetings are normally scheduled for the last Saturday of each month. They are held either at the antenna site in building T-22 on Table Mountain, or at the home of a volunteering member.

Board Meeting Minutes

Membership

Membership Meetings

Meetings of the membership are held on an ad hoc basis and announced by email to the membership.

You are invited to join DSES

The DSES is an organization of amateur radio operators, astronomers, scientists, radio hobbyists and plain old "big equipment" nuts. Whether you like to help with club organization and management, work on a keyboard, try to pull in the weak signals, want to try your hand at digital signal processing or just wonder "what is out there" and you want to see for yourself, the DSES has a place for you.

Do you have something you think we should be adding to our abilities? Come and join us! Membership for a full voting member is $50/year and for an associate, non-voting member is $20/year.

If you wish to join or renew, please send in your dues and provide the information requested on the form below.

Thank you for your interest in the Deep Space Exploration Society!

For further information contact Rex Craig, (303) 530-7251

Application for Membership

Name:________________________________________

Addr:________________________________________

City:_______________State:_____Zip:__________

Phone:_______________________________________

Email:_______________________________________

Skills, Interests & Affiliates:______________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

Annual Membership Fee, (check one):

  ___ Full Member $50 (Voting)

  ___ Associate   $20 (Non-voting)

Date Paid:___________________________________

Mail application to:

  Deep Space Exploration Society
  C/O Rex Craig, President
  5921 Niwot Road
  Longmont, CO  80503