Short answers, pulled from the story.
The Spanish National Research Council emerged from the ashes of civil war in 1939. Francisco Franco's government established this body using assets from the Board for Advanced Studies and Scientific Research, which had existed between 1907 and 1939.
José María Albareda led the organization from its founding until his death in 1966. He received priestly ordination in 1959 while continuing to direct the council and was one of the first members of Opus Dei.
The institution now manages 139 specialized research centers across all autonomous regions. These centers carry out work in eight distinct scientific-technical areas covering humanities, biology, natural resources, agriculture, physical sciences, materials, food, and chemistry.
Calar Alto Astronomical Observatory stands in the province of Almería as one of six singular facilities managed by the council. The facility receives annual support from the European Union due to its strategic importance and attracts national and foreign researchers.
This component became part of NASA's InSight Mars lander which successfully touched down on the 26th of November 2018. TWINS continues to monitor weather conditions at the Martian landing site today.
The Spanish National Research Council Headquarters appears as the exterior of The Royal Mint of Spain in the television series Money Heist. This popular show uses the real building to depict fictional scenes involving robbers and police confrontations starting in 2017.