Training gaps tied to costly DSN antenna mishap

NASA’s redacted investigation into the DSS-14 70‑meter Deep Space Network antenna assigns the multi‑million‑dollar damage ($4.1–$4.6M) to training gaps, inadequate procedures, and a culture of “personal heroics” that led staff to work outside qualifications, fatigue, and skipped tests during troubleshooting and stow attempts following an inoperable hydraulic limit system and a Juno‑link anomaly; six critical events preceded the Sept. 16 mishap, with 20 recommendations aimed at boosting technical rigor, clearer roles, and better procedures. The antenna will remain offline for an extended upgrade through Oct 2028, while DSN maintains operations using other antennas and continues to support Artemis missions, including Artemis 2.