Stanford Dish (Stanford Radio Telescope)
Steerable radio antenna in Stanford, California foothills.
The Stanford Dish, often called simply "the Dish," is a steerable radio antenna in the foothills near Stanford, California. The name also refers to the popular hiking area that surrounds it. Built in 1961 by the Stanford Research Institute (now SRI International), the 150-foot-wide (46 m) antenna cost $4.5 million, paid for by the U.S. Air Force. During the 1960s, it gathered intelligence on Soviet radar installations by picking up radio signals that had bounced off the moon.
Later, the Dish was used to communicate with satellites and spacecraft. Its bistatic range radio communications setup—where the transmitter and receiver are separate—made it especially effective for reaching spacecraft in areas where standard radio signals might fail. At one point, it sent signals to each of NASA's Voyager probes as they traveled to the outer Solar System. In 1982, it helped rescue the amateur radio satellite UoSAT-1.
As of 2018, the Dish remains in active use for academic and research purposes. It is owned by the U.S. government and operated by SRI International, serving to command and calibrate spacecraft as well as for radio astronomy measurements.
The area around the Dish features a popular 3.5-mile recreational trail, visited by an average of 1,500 to 1,800 people each day. The trail offers rolling hills and wide views that, on clear days, stretch to San Jose, San Francisco, and the East Bay. The Stanford Running Club holds an annual Dish Race and fun run on a 3.25-mile loop along the trail. Hikers, walkers, and runners are welcome, but bicycles and dogs are not allowed. The trail is open only during daylight hours.
As of June 2018, 360 cows were grazing on the Dish grounds. Stanford leases the land to farmers who own the cattle.
- Diameter
- 150 feet (46 m)
- Year built
- 1961
- Construction cost
- $4.5 million
- Funding source
- United States Air Force
- Builder
- Stanford Research Institute (now SRI International)
- Current owner
- U.S. Government
- Current operator
- SRI International
Lore & Background
In the 1960s, the Dish was used to provide information on Soviet radar installations by detecting radio signals bounced off the moon. Subsequently, it was used to communicate with satellites and spacecraft. With its unique bistatic range radio communications, whereby the transmitter and receiver are separate units, the powerful radar antenna was suitable for communicating with spacecraft in regions where conventional radio signals may be disrupted. At one point, the Dish transmitted signals to each of the Voyager craft that NASA dispatched into the outer reaches of the Solar System. In 1982 it was used to rescue the amateur radio satellite UoSAT-1. As of 2018, the Dish is still actively used for academic and research purposes, including commanding and calibrating spacecraft and for radio astronomy measurements.
Reader's Guide
The Stanford Dish's significance lies in its dual legacy as both a Cold War intelligence tool and a vital asset for space exploration. During the 1960s, it gathered intelligence on Soviet radar by detecting signals reflected off the moon. Later, its unique bistatic range radio communications made it ideal for contacting spacecraft in difficult regions, including transmitting signals to NASA's Voyager probes. It also played a role in rescuing the amateur radio satellite UoSAT-1 in 1982. As of 2018, the Dish remains in active use for academic and research purposes, including spacecraft commanding and calibration, as well as radio astronomy measurements. The surrounding area features a popular 3.5-mile recreational trail visited by 1,500–1,800 people daily, with rolling hills and views extending to San Jose, San Francisco, and the East Bay. The Stanford Running Club hosts an annual Dish Race and fun run forming a 3.25-mile loop. As of June 2018, 360 cows were grazing on the grounds, leased by Stanford to farmers.
Did You Know?
- The Dish was built in 1961 by the Stanford Research Institute (now SRI International) at a cost of $4.5 million, funded by the United States Air Force.
- It transmitted signals to each of the Voyager spacecraft dispatched by NASA into the outer Solar System.
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