ESA’s new deep space antenna in Cebreros, Spain becomes a reality

ESA’s new deep space radio antenna in Cebreros (Ávila, Spain) will be officially inaugurated on 28 September.

The new 35-metre antenna is ESA’s second facility devoted to communications with spacecraft on interplanetary missions or placed in very distant orbits. Cebreros’ first task will be that of tracking ESA’s Venus Express spacecraft, due for launch in October.

Up until three years ago, for missions requiring such a facility, ESA had to rely on NASA’s Deep Space Network. ESA’s science programme for the next decade includes many deep space missions, and independent access to deep space was identified as a necessity. In 2002, ESA’s first deep space antenna, located in New Norcia (Australia), began operations.

The official opening ceremony for this new ESA facility will take place at the Cebreros ground station. ESA’s Director of operations, Gaele Winters, and ESA Director of Science, David Southwood, will be present.

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