A Department of Defense news release in January, 1964 unveiled plans for a new deep-space research site--Stonehouse:
«experimentation in the peaceful
uses of space will receive added impetus in Africa with the installation, at
Kagnew
Station, of additional
equipment for space communications research and for future study of radio
receiving and transmitting
techniques. The new equipment, now ready for installation, will consist of two
rotatable parabolic antennas, one 85 feet in
diameter and the other 150 feet in
diameter. these modern antennae are designed to further the study of
long-range
communications and to
facilitate the study of the effects of the ionosphere on communications. The
selection of Asmara
for this
important new space research activity resulted from extensive surveys to find
an area combining relatively quiet
electronic environment, and suitable topographic features and climate
characteristics, near the equatorial belt. Kagnew
Station is a particularly appropriate
site to receive the new antennas in light of the stations past contributory
research into
natural electronic
phenomena. The new equipment will expand Kagnew's communications research
capability and will
permit scientific
measurement of unusual transmission characteristics in
outer space communications research. United
States interest in this research activity
is based on the desire to improve long-range communications world-wide. The
new
installation will make an
important contribution to man's expanding knowledge of the mysteries of outer
space. Materials
for the new antennas
will begin to arrive at the seaport of Massawa in early May. From there, they
will truck-hauled to
Asmara. The
installation is expected to be completed in 1965 and during phases of its
construction should employ many
Ethiopian workers. Arrangements will be made for groups of visitors to tour the
new facility during its construction in
accordance with past practice at other
parts of Kagnew Station.»