Story perspectives

NASA Evacuates Madrid Complex, Relocates Operations to Goldstone

7/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

NASA evacuated the Madrid Space Communications Complex on July 24, 2026 because a wildfire threatened the site.
Control of communications was transferred to Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex in California, keeping missions uninterrupted.
Goldstone handed responsibility to Canberra, preserving mission support while Madrid’s antennas and buildings stayed undamaged.
The three stations—Goldstone, Madrid and Canberra—are spaced 120 degrees apart, a design that aided continuity after the January 2025 Eaton Fire forced JPL’s evacuation to Goldstone.

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Story summary

NASA evacuated the Madrid Space Communications Complex on July 24, 2026 because a wildfire threatened the site.
Control of communications was transferred to Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex in California, keeping missions uninterrupted.
Goldstone handed responsibility to Canberra, preserving mission support while Madrid’s antennas and buildings stayed undamaged.
The three stations—Goldstone, Madrid and Canberra—are spaced 120 degrees apart, a design that aided continuity after the January 2025 Eaton Fire forced JPL’s evacuation to Goldstone.