Key ground stations of NASA and the European Space Agency (ЕКА) in Spain avoided serious damage from large-scale forest fires.
24 July 2026 NASA evacuated the Madrid Far Space Communications Complex (MDSCC) in Robledo de Chavela (close 65 km west of Madrid) because of a big fire. The next day, the initial examination showed, that the damage concerns mainly the road surface and vegetation; no significant structural damage to antennas and buildings was detected. Additional inspections will continue after the situation stabilizes.
MDSCC is one of three stations in the Deep Space Network (along with Goldstone and Canberra). WITH 24 In July, the antennas of the Madrid complex are not working; control was taken over by the stations in Canberra and Goldstone, which ensures continuity of communication. The duration of MDSCC downtime and its impact on operations is currently unknown.
ESA station near Cebreros (77 km west of Madrid) also, according to preliminary data, remained intact. All staff are safe. An on-site inspection will be conducted once safe access is restored.
Forest fires in Spain and France, caused by abnormal heat and drought, led to the evacuation of almost 300 thousands of people.
Source: https://spacenews.com