The station location in Johannesburg was a compromise; Spain would have been preferred for technical reasons. As a
result of historical changes in South Africa and Spain, construction of a new DSN complex near Madrid began, and eventually,
the Johannesburg facility was closed. In the meantime, there was a strong rationale to construct additional antennas in
Australia at a more accessible location. The Woomera complex remained operational until Pioneer 10 was well on its way
towards Jupiter, but eventually, it was superseded by a new DSN complex on Australian soil, in Tidbinbilla near
Canberra.