New Radio Telescope Install

A Major Milestone for the Deep Space Exploration Society

In June 2024, the Deep Space Exploration Society (DSES) completed one of the largest and most ambitious field operations in its history: the rescue of a 30-foot parabolic radio dish antenna that was just days away from being cut up for scrap.

Why This Dish Matters

Large-aperture antennas of this size are rare, expensive to build, and invaluable for radio astronomy, deep-space signal work, and STEM education. Securing this dish expands our long-term capability to:

• Expose students to hands-on radio science and engineering
• Support NASA and citizen-science space missions
• Conduct deep-space observations and research
• Preserve and demonstrate legacy amateur-radio technology

The Rescue Operation (June 23–26, 2024)

A dedicated nine-person DSES crew traveled to Ignacio, Colorado, to dismantle and recover the antenna under challenging and often hazardous conditions.

• The dish was found in a sideways orientation, making disassembly far more difficult.
• Temperatures routinely exceeded 90°F with no shade.
• Crane and man-lift operations required careful coordination and safety planning.
• Every component—from tower sections to counterweights—was photographed, labeled, and preserved.
  
  

DSES member Elaine Hambly, K0ARR, captured the experience in her field report: Save the Dish Report

The dish sections, tower components, pedestal, struts, counterweights, Rohn 45 sections, and hardware are now secured on-site and ready for reconstruction.

Next Phase: Rebuilding the Dish at Haswell

The 30-foot dish will be installed on a new concrete foundation engineered for long-term scientific use.

Once reassembled, this instrument will:

• Expand our educational programs
• Support deep-space and hydrogen-line observations
• Provide backup and experimental capability alongside the existing 60-foot radio telescope
• Serve as a laboratory for students, educators, and citizen scientists

This will be one of the most significant upgrades to the Haswell facility in over a decade.

How You Can Support the Rebuild

DSES is now seeking financial support to fund:

• Concrete foundation construction
• Crane and heavy-equipment operations
• Mechanical and structural refurbishment
• Electrical, control, and RF system integration

Your tax-deductible donations will directly accelerate the installation.

Contact for questions:

Paul Sobon, NO0T
President, Deep Space Exploration Society
303-601-5773
pauls@dses.science

A New Chapter for DSES

The successful rescue of the 30-foot dish marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Deep Space Exploration Society.

With your support, this instrument will soon help advance STEM learning, radio astronomy research, and community science for years to come.