February 10, 2022
On this date in 1961, a voice message was sent from Washington D.C. to Woomera, Australia via the moon. NASA Deputy Administrator Dryden spoke on telephone, where the signal was then “bounced” off the moon, before being delivered to the receiving station in Woomera. This message was sent as part of the official opening of the deep space instrumentation facility site in Australia.
This image shows the 26-meter antenna at the Woomera Tracking Station, during what is believed to be the opening ceremony. A figure standing on the edge of the antenna is addressing the crowd. Image credit: NASA, Colin Mackellar