An initial inspection of the Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex in Robledo de Chavela reveals that the fire only affected the pavement and exterior vegetation, with no damage to antennas or buildings.
The wildfire that affected the Sierra de Guadarrama in Madrid over the past week has put the scientific facilities in the area on alert, but NASA has sought to clear up any doubts about the state of its Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex (MDSCC), located in the municipality of Robledo de Chavela. Following an initial inspection conducted on July 25, the US space agency confirmed that the damage is limited to the pavement and surrounding vegetation, with no significant structural impacts observed on the antennas or buildings of the complex.
NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens was responsible for disseminating the information via the social network X (formerly Twitter), where she shared an image of the exterior of the facilities showing the burned area, but with no apparent damage to the infrastructure. "We found fire damage mainly on the pavement and surrounding vegetation, with no significant structural damage observed on the antennas or buildings," Stevens noted in her statement.
The MDSCC, which operates in collaboration with Spain's National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA) and the European Space Agency (ESA), is one of three stations in NASA's Deep Space Network, alongside those in Goldstone (California) and Canberra (Australia). Its role is crucial for communications with spacecraft on interplanetary missions.
Sources from INTA confirmed to Maldita.es that both the Robledo de Chavela centre and the one in Cebreros (Ávila), also affected by the fire, "are completely out of danger." They added that continuous monitoring of the situation is being maintained and that established safety protocols are being followed. According to information from the US Embassy in Madrid on July 26, the staff at the complex is safe.
The fire, which ravaged thousands of hectares in the Community of Madrid and the province of Ávila, generated a wave of misinformation on social media, where it was claimed that the NASA complex had been "destroyed." The space agency has sought to quell these rumours with objective data from the inspection.
Additionally, Stevens explained that as a preventive measure, NASA's Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program transferred "mission support seamlessly to its other Deep Space Communication Complexes in Goldstone and Canberra, ensuring the continuity of operations and uninterrupted communications with spacecraft." This temporary relocation guarantees that no mission is affected while the situation in Robledo de Chavela is assessed.
For the residents of Robledo de Chavela and nearby municipalities, the news is a relief. The NASA complex is a local pride and an economic engine for the area, as well as an international reference centre. The Robledo de Chavela Town Hall has not yet commented on the damage in the municipality, but the confirmation that the scientific facilities are safe is a first step in recovery after the fire.
Looking to the future, NASA and INTA will continue to monitor the area and assess whether repairs are necessary for the damaged pavement and vegetation. Meanwhile, scientific activity at the complex continues, albeit with remote support from the other two stations in the network. The priority now is the safety of personnel and the preservation of the facilities.
The fire, which is now under control, has left a scar on the landscape of the Sierra de Guadarrama, but the key scientific infrastructure for space exploration has endured. NASA has thanked the collaboration of local authorities and emergency services, who worked tirelessly to protect the area.
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