NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles have caused significant destruction in Southern California, with repercussions that extend beyond our planet.
The fires have been burning homes and infrastructure relentlessly for several days, even threatening NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena at one point. This led to the evacuation of the iconic laboratory, leaving the Caltech-managed mission control center for the Deep Space Network empty for the first time since its opening in 1963, as reported by NASA officials on Jan. 13.
“Our thoughts are with our colleagues at JPL, Caltech, UCLA, and other institutes who are facing challenges,” said Nicola Fox, NASA’s associate administrator for science missions, during a NASA town hall event at the 245th American Astronomical Society meeting. “Many of us know individuals who have lost their homes.”
Despite the upheaval, the Deep Space Network (DSN) teams managed to maintain communication with NASA’s spacecraft, rovers, and probes exploring various parts of the solar system.
“Our amazing DSN team has gone the extra mile to ensure no data loss,” Fox noted. “It was an emotional experience to see the mission control office at JPL empty for the first time in 60 years, as they had to relocate to an emergency center.”
NASA’s Deep Space Network, marking its 60th anniversary in 2023, operates three large radio antennas globally to facilitate data, telemetry, and communications with the agency’s space missions. The antennas are located in Goldstone, California; Canberra, Australia; and Madrid, Spain.
JPL was evacuated last week due to wildfire threats, but the center emerged unscathed. The fires have resulted in at least 16 casualties and displaced thousands, as per media reports.
“NASA JPL remains unaffected by the fire thanks to our courageous first responders,” stated JPL director Laurie Leshin in a post on the social media site X on Jan. 10. “However, over 150 JPL employees have lost their homes, with many others displaced.”
During the American Astronomical Society meeting in Maryland, Fox commended the organization for refunding registration fees for attendees impacted by the LA fires. NASA has also extended deadlines for scientists working on funding proposals amidst the crisis.
“As a leadership team, we are working on ways to support our colleagues in California,” Fox expressed. “We are exploring options to alleviate funding deadline pressures.”
Fox also acknowledged the outpouring of support from Southern California residents offering assistance to those affected by the wildfires.
“I want to express gratitude to those who have opened their homes and provided temporary shelter and support,” said Fox emotionally. “The generosity and solidarity shown by the community is truly remarkable.”
