One of the three main pillars of NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN) has been placed in a critical situation due to devastating wildfires in Spain. The incident affects the complex in Robledo de Chavela, located north of Madrid, which plays a vital role in maintaining communication with spacecraft exploring remote regions of the Universe.
According to official data, the fire passed through the complex's territory, necessitating the immediate evacuation of all personnel. Although there is currently no officially confirmed information regarding direct damage to equipment or antennas, the situation remains tense. NASA representatives emphasize that if this center were to be taken out of service, it would be catastrophic for communication capabilities in this region of the planet.
To ensure the continuity of missions and communication with robotic spacecraft, NASA has already transferred operational activities to the other complex in the network – in Goldstone, California. The other key DSN center is located in Canberra, Australia.
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The current crisis in Spain is the result of extreme heatwaves and prolonged drought, which made the forests in the region extremely flammable. The communication complex in Madrid is part of a strategic triad that allows the American space agency to monitor its probes at any time of the day.