The Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex (MDSCC), operated by NASA/INTA, is an associated member of the European VLBI Network (EVN). Constructed in 1964, and its first antenna, a 26m diameter dish, became operational in 1965. The complex has four operational antennas (one 70m –DSS-63- and three 34m –DSS-54, DSS-55 and DSS-65) and two more 34m antennae are currently being built to become operational in 2020 (DSS-53 and DSS-56). The DSS-63 (70m) and the DSS-54 (34m) antennas participate in the VLBI observations performed with the European and global arrays. DSS-65 antenna (or DSS-6a after being moved to a new location) participates in the observations of the International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry (IVS). All the antennas are supported by the Host Country program where Spanish astronomers have access to the Robledo facility for single dish and coordinated VLBI observations with other networks (as the current RadioAstron space antenna co-observing program). Also using all operational antennas is supported by the JPL Reference Frame Calibration project for EOP determination and implementation and maintenance of a celestial reference frame for navigation purposes.
geographic longitude: | – 04° 14′ 57″ |
geographic latitude: | 40° 25′ 38″ |
altitude above sea level: | 761 m |
diameter telescope 1: | 70 m |
diameter telescope 2: | 34 m |
minimum elevation: | 6° |
Available observing mode: single dish, Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI).
Frequencies used currently:
Frequency band | Observing mode |
1400 – 1900 MHz | DSS-63 |
1628 MHz–1708 MHz |
DSS-63 |
2175 – 2315 MHz | DSS-54, DSS-63 |
2200 – 2300 MHz | DSS-63, DSS-65 |
8400 – 8500 MHz | DSS-65 |
8250 – 8650 MHz | DSS-54, DSS-55, DSS-63, DSS-65 |
18.0 – 26.5 GHz | DSS-63 |
31.85 – 32.25 GHz | DSS-54, DSS-55 |
37 – 50 GHz | DSS-54 |
Research programs: solar radio astronomy (Jupiter, Mars, etc.), monitoring of active galactic nuclei and SNe, geodetic VLBI, global astrometry, space VLBI, water mega masers in radio quiet AGN, chemistry of ISM, protostars, nebulae and HII regions, evolved stars, PNe, transients like pulsars, etc.