A fast-moving wildfire raging across Spain forced the evacuation of NASA’s Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex on July 24, 2026.The facility, part of NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN), was temporarily suspended as flames and smoke threatened the site near Madrid.

The DSN, which operates globally with facilities in California and Australia, shifted operations to the Goldstone Complex in California to maintain spacecraft communication continuity.

The Madrid site, housing a 70-meter radio dish and smaller antennas, was assessed for potential damage but remained offline until safety conditions improved.

The incident highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to natural disasters, especially amid Spain’s ongoing summer heatwave and drought.While the DSN’s Australian site remains operational, the California facility is currently offline due to a 2023 accident that damaged its antenna.NASA emphasized prioritizing personnel safety and coordinating with local authorities to combat the wildfires.The evacuation also affected a separate ESA-operated tracking station in Cebreros, underscoring the broader regional impact of the crisis.

The DSN supports over 40 missions, including Artemis, Voyager, and the James Webb Space Telescope, making its disruption a significant concern for space operations.