JHUAPL_v_bw_o_n (ca. 1963-67, unnumbered prob. JHU-APL photo)

A gorgeous crystal-clear photograph of the Satellite Communications Facility (SCF) at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), circa 1963-67.
Note the two technicians on the roof of the SCF, tending to the imposing 60-ft antenna/dish, which became operational in 1963. Some background regarding its (maybe/maybe not) construction:

“As a result of the success of the early work done for the Navy on the concept of satellite based navigation, the Transit Program was about to become a reality. Two ground stations would need to be constructed to support the continuing work as the program headed toward an operational system.

By the 15th of November, 1962 Work on the APL Station had already begun. The first foundation, a donut shape had been determined to be inadequate and subsequently destroyed. A second foundation, approved by APL engineers was now entering the first phases of construction.

This second foundation is a rooted structure with 20 poured, steel reinforced concrete pylons 35 feet deep. Eight of the 20 pylons are drilled holes 48 inches in diameter, loaded with a welded steel reinforcement cages followed by poured concrete. The remaining 12 pylons are 14-inch diameter driven piles filled with poured concrete.

A total of more than 500 cubic yards of concrete are contained in the foundation with an estimated weight in excess of 2 million pounds.”

I'm not so sure that the above pertains to the dish seen in the photograph, since many/most subsequent/latter photographs of what looks like the same antenna seem to be a more free-standing structure, possibly adjacent to a building. Or, maybe it's just the perspective/angle of this photograph that makes it look like it's positioned more centrally ‘within/atop’ the building. IDK.

Also, the JHU/APL crew appears to have been a dapper lot. The two gentleman in front could've been in a J.C. Penney catalog...sleeves partially rolled up, hands in pocket…in cerebral discussion. For additional confirmation, take a look at my linked photo of the satellite itself; Robert Fischell making a bold statement with his striped square-tipped tie while John Dassoulas is rockin' those bitchin' argyles. Shitchyeah. And, and…I think that’s a Rambler parked on the left. It don’t get no cooler. 😎

Additionally:

“The Satellite Communications Facility (SCF) at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) traces its genesis to the early days of Sputnik. Since the first signal from space, APL has provided the nation with global timing and positioning solutions, world class space and planetary science, robust and reliable spacecraft, and precise navigation, commanding and communications to ensure mission success.

Established in 1961 to support the command and telemetry requirements of the world's first satellite navigation system under contract to the U.S. Navy, the APL station has provided more than 50 years of ground contact support to our sponsors. The station has conducted over 100,000 satellite contacts in the last 15 years alone. With available, on-call technical support, the station has been conducting attended and unattended spacecraft tracking operations since 1995.”

All of the quoted above paraphrased/extracted from:

www.scf.jhuapl.edu/
Credit: JUAPL Satellite Communications Facility (SCF) website

Great JHUAPL historical reading:

www.jhuapl.edu/Content/techdigest/pdf/V34-N02/34-02-Fount...
Credit: JHUAPL website

Taken on: August 10, 2022

Tags:

helical antenna

satellite communications

telemetry

tracking station

TRANSIT satellite

DODGE satellite

Department of Defense Gravity Experiment

Department of Defense Gravity Experiment satellite

SCF

Satellite Communications Facility

JHUAPL

Johns Hopkins University/Applied Physics Laboratory

ground station

glossy photo

black and white « less

Sets appears in: • Satellites: Views By/Views Of • Miscellaneous Photos & Prints

Groups appears in: • Space Exploration

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