![\"Super-cool](\"http:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Super-cool_addition_to_deep_space_family_card_full.jpg\")
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It’s confirmed! ESA is building its fourth deep space antenna\u00a0\u2013 much like the Cebreros<\/a> dish pictured here\u00a0\u2013 that will ensure upcoming missions like JUICE<\/a> and the Hera mission<\/a> have someone to talk to when they get to space.<\/p>\n ‘Deep Space Antenna 4’ will be located at the New Norcia<\/a> ground station in Western Australia, home of Europe\u2019s first 35-metre antenna.<\/p>\n ESA\u2019s ESTRACK<\/a> network is currently made up of three deep space stations across the globe as well as a number of smaller dishes, and it is running at peak capacity. Following analysis of future mission needs, this fourth antenna will provide much-needed communication support to upcoming European and non-European deep-space missions.<\/p>\n Using the latest super-cool technology, the \u2018antenna feed\u2019\u00a0\u2013 through which data flows in from space\u00a0\u2013 will be cryogenically cooled to just 10 degrees Kelvin (only 10 degrees above absolute zero, about -263 C). Doing this, incredibly, is expected to increase the amount of data returned by 40% at the high frequencies used for spacecraft command and control.<\/p>\n Such technology will also be used in the Cebreros station pictured here, and the Malag\u00fce station, dramatically increasing the amount we can \u2018hear\u2019 from space.<\/p>\n Work should be finished on the station by the end of 2023, ready to begin operations by mid-2024\u00a0\u2013 just in time for the JUICE and HERA missions.<\/p>\n You now now find out, in real time, exactly what each ground station is up to using ESTRACKnow. <\/i>Find out\u00a0out exactly which spacecraft are communicating with which ground antennas at any moment, via\u00a0http:\/\/estracknow.esa.int<\/a>, and check out the handy guide<\/a> for more information!<\/p>\n