NASA reported on September 25, 2026, that the ESA station near New Norcia completed the final test in the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope’s science-data ground-network sequence on September 17. Stations in Western Australia, Japan and New Mexico passed reception tests, preparing the network to receive Roman’s science data when operations begin.
Three partner stations passed reception tests
The test sequence began at JAXA’s Misasa station in Saku City, Japan, on September 7. NASA then tested its Near Space Network station and backup antenna at White Sands, New Mexico, from September 8 to 11. The ESA station near New Norcia, Western Australia, completed the sequence on September 17.
NASA reported successful reception at each location. The Misasa station received data at rates up to 500 megabits per second. Both White Sands antennas successfully downlinked data at the rates tested, and the New Norcia station succeeded at the highest rate tested.
The test data included operational “housekeeping” information, such as instrument temperatures and power draw, as well as preliminary image data.
What the tests established about Roman’s downlink
NASA reported test rates of up to 500 megabits per second. The actual downlink rate will vary with Roman’s distance from and elevation relative to Earth, so the tested maximum is not a fixed operating rate.
NASA expects Roman to downlink approximately 1.4 terabytes of data per day once science operations begin. Rain can scatter or weaken the radio signals. NASA says automated ground systems will identify data that did not arrive correctly and request retransmission from Roman’s onboard solid-state recorder within a few hours.
Two networks, different jobs
Roman’s science-data network receives the observatory’s science data. NASA’s Deep Space Network handles tracking, observatory telemetry and commands—a separate role from receiving that data.
| Network | Role for Roman | Locations identified by NASA |
| Roman science-data ground network | Receives science data | NASA Near Space Network in New Mexico; JAXA’s Misasa station in Japan; ESA station near New Norcia, Western Australia |
| NASA Deep Space Network | Provides tracking, telemetry and command support | California, Spain and Australia |
NASA expects science operations by early 2027
NASA expects Roman’s science operations to begin by early 2027.
