The NASA Deep Space Network Mission Control Center in Pasadena (Los Angeles) has been evacuated for the first time in its 60 years of existence.
NASA has decided to evacuate the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which includes the mission control center, due to deadly fires in Los Angeles, Space reports.
At the same time, NASA assures that despite the “fuss,” the space agency has not lost any data about the flights.
Scientists who operate the Deep Space Network (DSN) have been able to maintain communication with NASA spacecraft, rovers and probes that continue to explore the solar system.
“Our incredible DSN team has done everything they can to ensure that not a single bit of data is lost.
It was very emotional. “For the first time in 60 years, there was no one in the mission control office at JPL because everyone had to move to the emergency center,” said NASA spokeswoman Nicola Fox.
The Deep Space Network Mission Control Center has been operating as NASA's communications hub for missions to Mars, Jupiter and other parts of space since 1963.
It uses three large radio antennas located in Goldstone (USA), Canberra (Australia) and Madrid (Spain) to constantly maintain contact with the agency's space missions.
All signals from NASA vehicles, including the Mars rovers, whose activities all space enthusiasts love to follow, pass through Deep Space Network.
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office, as of January 13, fires have claimed the lives of at least 24 people in California.