Wildfire forces evacuation of NASA's Deep Space Network complex in Spain
Summary
A fast-moving wildfire in Spain forced NASA to evacuate its Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex and temporarily stop its operations there. NASA shifted mission support to its California facility to keep communication with spacecraft active while monitoring the wildfire situation.Key Facts
- The wildfire threatened NASA’s deep space tracking station near Madrid, Spain.
- The station is part of NASA’s Deep Space Network, which helps communicate with over 40 space missions.
- Evacuation and suspension of operations happened for safety of personnel.
- NASA redirected mission communications to the California Deep Space Communications Complex.
- The Madrid site has large radio antennas, including a 230-foot-wide dish and smaller 112-foot antennas.
- The Deep Space Network has similar facilities in Australia and California for global coverage.
- The California 70-meter antenna has been offline since last year due to an accident, leaving Australia’s 70-meter antenna as the only large dish available.
- Spanish authorities evacuated more than 19,000 people near Madrid due to wildfires, with over 2,000 personnel fighting the fires.
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