His Majesty the King unveils the new antenna at NASA's Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex (MDSCC)

The MDSCC is located in the Madrid town of Robledo de Chavela, and the new antenna, called Deep Space Station 53 (DSS-53), is 34 meters in diameter and is part of NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN).

His Majesty King Felipe VI attended the opening ceremony on 16 March, and was welcomed by the Secretary of State for Defence, Ms Esperanza Casteleiro and the Ambassador of the United States of America to Spain, Ms Julissa Reynoso, along with other VIPs and staff at the centre.

As per the 1964 agreement between Spain and the United States, the National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA) is responsible for the MDSCC facilities, and Isdefe, under a contract from INTA, oversees the operation, maintenance and technical support of the Centre. Isdefe provides support daily to more than 30 missions, 365 days a year. The company has also provided technical and administrative support to manage the construction of the two new antennas at the Centre.

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