The excitation energy, spin and parity of the yrast superdeformed band 1 in152Dy have been established. The evidence comes mainly from the measured properties of a 4011 keV single‐step transition connecting the yrast superdeformed level fed by the 693 keV transition to the 27−yrast state. Four additional, weaker, linking &ggr; rays have been placed as well. The excitation energy of the lowest superdeformed band 1 member is 10,644 keV and its spin and parity are determined to be 24+. A further nine transitions of dipole character have been identified, which connect the excited superdeformed band 6 in152Dy to the yrast SD band 1. The excitation energy of the lowest level in the excited SD band 1 is 14,239 keV. The lowest state in band 6 has been determined to be of negative parity and odd spin (29−or 31−). The measured properties of band 6 are consistent with an interpretation in terms of an octupole vibrational band. A comparison with an RPA calculation by Nakatsukasaet al.suggests that the spin of the lowest SD band 6 level is 31−. © 2003 American Institute of Physics