Massive wildfires raging across Europe have compelled NASA to evacuate one of its three global deep space communications facilities located in Spain, disrupting the US agency's ability to maintain contact with space probes as of Friday.
The Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex is situated in Robledo, approximately 65 kilometers west of central Madrid, according to a statement by a NASA spokesperson to Agence France-Presse.
The American space agency reported that “the fire passed through the Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex, and any potential damage will be assessed once it is safe to do so,” adding that “all personnel have been evacuated.”
The Madrid facility is part of the Deep Space Network, one of three sites that enable NASA to communicate with its spacecraft exploring distant parts of the galaxy.
The other two sites are located in Canberra, Australia, and Goldstone, California, USA, and the agency has “shifted mission operations support to them.”
The statement concluded, “The safety and well-being of our crews are our top priorities, and our hearts are with the families and neighbors who are also dealing with the impacts of the wildfires in nearby communities.”