Lunar Museum at Fresnedillas de la Oliva, NASA ground station
Near Madrid in Fresnedillas de la Oliva stood one of NASA’s 11 ground stations for the Manned Spaceflight Network. On July 20, 1969—just 30 seconds before touchdown—it relayed communications with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin of Apollo XI.
NASA Ground Station
Part of a global network, this station—identical to those in California and Australia—captured all crewed NASA missions. Its DSS-66 antenna was essential for guiding humankind’s first lunar landing.
Moon Landing Broadcast
On July 20, 1969, Fresnedillas coordinated the historic final descent confirmation to the Apollo XI crew: “30 seconds to touchdown.”
The Lunar Museum
The former station now houses the Lunar Museum, Spain’s only space exploration museum, with over 300 original artifacts donated by private collectors and U.S./Russian agencies.
Highlights
- Apollo X flight plan
- Armstrong’s communicator
- Astronaut Gene Cernan’s Apollo XVII suit
- Original work shirts, helmets, gloves
- Mission food & drink samples
- Station equipment: transmitters, receivers, control consoles
Outdoor Exhibits
- Saturn V rocket replica
- Apollo command module
- DSS-66 antenna reproduction
Visiting Info
- Mon–Fri: by appointment
- Sat & Sun: open 10:00–14:00 without booking
- Admission: free
Experience the excitement of the Space Age in Fresnedillas de la Oliva: explore the station that connected Earth to the Moon and admire unique artifacts that made us dream of the stars.
How to get there
Decimal: 40.482778°, -4.173333°
DMS: 40°28'58" N, 4°10'24" O
