NASA has concluded its investigation into the damage sustained by the 70-meter radio-frequency antenna, Deep Space Station 14 (DSS-14), at the Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex in California. The agency has classified the incident as a Type A mishap, with estimated repair costs ranging from $4.1 to $4.6 million. The antenna will remain offline for repairs and scheduled upgrades.
“NASA takes safety and any departure from established procedures seriously, and the investigation at Goldstone made clear that we must strengthen our processes. We are acting on the investigation’s findings,” stated Joel Montalbano, acting associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate. “We will update and improve procedures, rebuild core in-house capabilities, and reinforce operational discipline across the Deep Space Network. NASA remains focused on learning from this and modernizing systems, so DSS-14 and the broader network are ready to support our ambitious future missions.”
The incident occurred on September 16, 2025, when the DSS-14 antenna experienced an over-rotation while tracking the Juno mission. This event placed significant stress on the antenna’s cabling and structural supports, also damaging water lines connected to the fire-suppression system and leading to flooding. No injuries were reported.
An investigation board, composed of agency experts, examined the technical, organizational, and cultural factors that contributed to the mishap. The board conducted site inspections, interviews, and reviewed technical documentation and operational logs from all three Deep Space Network sites. The final report was submitted in April.
Several key contributing factors were identified, including software weaknesses, human error, and an undetected failure in the antenna’s hydraulic limit system. An electrical issue the previous day caused the control system to inaccurately report the antenna’s rotation status, which went unnoticed. During troubleshooting, operators inadvertently bypassed safeguards, leading to the over-rotation. Attempts to stow the antenna for safety after observing flooding further exacerbated the damage.
The report also found that the antenna’s hydraulic limit system, a critical mechanical safeguard, was inoperable at the time of the incident. It had been damaged in a prior, undocumented event and was not adequately tested.
Furthermore, the investigation highlighted a workplace culture that pressured operators to work with extreme speed, often exceeding their roles and expertise. While this cultural condition was specific to Goldstone, contributing factors such as inadequate procedures, reliance on undocumented practices, and gaps in control logic were also noted.
The antenna’s extended maintenance and upgrade period, originally scheduled from August to October 2028, will now encompass the necessary repairs. These upgrades are vital for supporting future exploration and science missions, as well as enhancing national planetary defense capabilities.
“We are committed to learning everything we can from this incident, and we’ve already begun putting those lessons into practice,” said Kevin Coggins, deputy associate administrator for NASA’s SCaN Program. “Our teams are working to strengthen and standardize processes and training across all three network sites to ensure it remains resilient, consistent, and ready to support the next generation of missions. Every challenge is an opportunity to improve, and this is no exception.”
Despite the DSS-14 incident, the Deep Space Network continues to provide full coverage for over 40 missions using its 13 other antennas located in California, Australia, and Spain. A dedicated scheduling team ensures continuous coverage by allocating antenna time and managing outages for maintenance or unexpected events.
The full report, with redactions for sensitive information, is available for viewing.
