The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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As an additional hedge against the possible closure of the Johannesburg station, NASA authorized a second deep space station in Spain and installed it at Cebreros, a green, pine- studded forest area about 24 kilometers (15 miles) south of Robledo de Chavela. Like the latter area, this site was identified in a 1963 site survey. Both sites used a 26-meter polar-mounted antenna, which was the standard by this time. The Cebreros station (DSS 62) became operational in January 1967. Like the Pioneer station (DSS 11) at Goldstone and the Tidbinbilla station (DSS 42) in Australia, it had a Manned Space Flight Network wing to support the Apollo manned missions to the Moon. After NASA declared the station surplus to its operational needs in 1983, it was donated to the Spanish government.