Goals: The NASA Deep Space Network - or DSN - is an international network of antennas that supports interplanetary spacecraft missions and radio and radar astronomy observations for the exploration of the solar system and the universe. The network also supports selected Earth-orbiting missions.

Accomplishments: The Deep Space Network has kept mission controllers in contact with distant spacecraft since the dawn of the space age. None of these missions of discovery would be possible were it not for the Deep Space Network. It is the largest and most sensitive scientific telecommunications system in the world. The DSN also is a powerful tool for radar observations and radio astronomy.