Forest fires force NASA to evacuate a major site in Spain

Massive wildfires that broke out across Europe on Friday forced NASA to evacuate one of its three Deep Space Network communication facilities in Spain, impairing the agency’s ability to communicate with its space probes.

The Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex, located in Robledo de Chavela, is about 65 kilometers west of central Madrid, according to a NASA spokesperson who told Agence France-Presse in a statement.

The US space agency said, “The fire passed through the Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex, and any potential damage will be assessed when 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 reaches of the galaxy.

The other two sites are located in Canberra, Australia, and Goldstone, California, and “the agency has transferred mission operations support to them.”

The statement continued: “The safety and well-being of our teams are our top priorities, and our hearts are with the families and neighbors who are also affected by the wildfires in nearby communities.”