Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex

Template:Infobox Observatory

The Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex (MDSCC) is a ground station located in Robledo de Chavela, Spain, and operated by the Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA).

Deep Space Network

It is part of NASA's Deep Space Network run by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The facility contributes to the Deep Space Network's ability to provide the vital two-way communications link that tracks and controls spacecraft and receives the images and new scientific information they collect. This complex is one of three NASA Deep Space Network complexes in the world; the others are the Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex located in California, near the city of Barstow, and the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex in Australia which is close to the city of Canberra.

The complex also serves some missions of the European Space Agency.

Functions

The antennas and data delivery systems make it possible to:

• Acquire telemetry data from spacecraft.
• Transmit commands to spacecraft.
• Track spacecraft position and velocity.
• Perform Radio Astronomy (both single-dish and very-long-baseline interferometry) observations.
• Measure variations in radio waves for radio science experiments.
• Monitor and control the performance of the Deep Space Network.

Antennas

Vision of the complex in Robledo de Chavela.

Antennas at the Madrid Deep Space Communication Complex

The complex has seven antennas, called DSS-61, DSS-54, DSS-55, DSS-63, DSS-65 and DSS-66.

Photo	Name	Diameter	Notes
	DSS-61	34-meter	In late 1999 DSS-61 was deactivated, and in February 2001 NASA transferred the antenna to create the PARTNeR Project.
	DSS-54	34-meter	beam waveguide antenna
	DSS-55	34-meter	beam waveguide antenna
	DSS-63	70-meter	Built in 1974 as a 64-meter antenna, and upgraded to 70 metres in the late 1980s. It can transmit in S and X-band with a power up to 400 kilowatts and receive in L, S, and X bands. DSS-63 weighs a total of 8000 tons, whereby the dish has a weight of 3500 tons. Its reflecting surface is 4,180 square metres (Template:Convert/round sq ft).
	DSS-65	34-meter	Built in 1987. It is a HEF (high-efficiency) antenna. It can transmit in X-band with a maximum power of 20 kW and receive in S- and X-band. The weight of DSS-65 is 400 tons, whereby the dish weighs 350 tons.
	DSS-66	26-meter	The antenna was used in support of near-Earth missions and the early orbit phase of deep-space missions. This antenna was moved in 1983 from the nearby Fresnedillas NASA tracking station, prior to that station being shut down in 1985. It was decommissioned in 2009.

See also

• Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA)
• RT-70

External links

• Official Site at JPL
• Blog of the scientists manning the station
• How the station works, alone and within the DSN (interactive graphic, in Spanish)
• Official Site at ISDEFE, operator of MDSCC at Robledo