[amsat-bb] Space Center Abandoned Dish Rehabilitation - Outreach #1

[Gregory Beat]

Michelle -

Merritt Island Spaceflight Tracking and Data Network station (MILA) at the Kennedy Space Center (FL) was decommissioned in 2011, that was managed by NASA Goddard.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merritt_Island_Spaceflight_Tracking_and_Data_Network_station
A new communications system (also managed by NASA Goddard) has been installed: 
Kennedy Uplink Station and Ponce De Leon Inlet Tracking Annex (35 miles North of Cape) for Space Launch System (SLS).
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/new-tracking-stations-to-provide-latest-technology-for-sls-orion

SpaceX acquired ($1 above scrap value), moved (FL to TX), then refurbished (internal staff?) two S-band dishes from MILA.
Photo of dishes next to SLC-40 ~2014 (before move & refurbishment)
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=35425.0;attach=1356591;image

They are now located in Bock Chica Village, TX (South Texas Launch Site),
with a separate communications building.
One of the Texas universities has access to the dishes for research, 
when not used by SpaceX.
https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1025149/
SpaceX Comm System became active in 2017 and was used for SpaceX’s Microsat-2a and Microsat-2b experiments
https://apps.fcc.gov/els/GetAtt.html?id=197815&x=.

greg, w9gb