Space agencies and commercial entities rely on an international network of large antennas for spacecraft communication and data transfer. With an increase in missions beyond Earth's orbit, including lunar expeditions, the current capacity is being stretched to its limits. While resource-sharing arrangements among space agencies help manage the load, future projections suggest that increased robotic and human activities around the Moon will exacerbate the capacity shortfall.
The UK, with Goonhilly's expertise, is uniquely positioned to offer expanded deep space communication capabilities. As the world's leading commercial provider of lunar and deep space services, Goonhilly has supported more than 17 spacecraft beyond geostationary orbit since 2021, including CubeSats on the Artemis-I mission. The station has also facilitated communications for organizations such as the European Space Agency (ESA), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and Intuitive Machines.
Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms, Sir Chris Bryant, commented, "Just as digital infrastructure helps us stay connected here on Earth, this government-backed contract will play a vital role in supporting humanity's next steps to the Moon and beyond. The UK has a real competitive advantage in space and I want to exploit that to its full potential, using innovative commercial models such as those demonstrated by Goonhilly and the UK Space Agency to attract more investment, generate high-quality jobs, and support our international partners."
The contract, initially valued at up to GBP 2 million for the current financial year, will help the UK expand its space communication capabilities and tap into new markets, supporting Goonhilly's role in addressing the increasing global demand for deep space services. This will enable the station to offer more comprehensive support to agencies and companies worldwide.
Dr. Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, noted, "Our work with Goonhilly is a great example of how the UK can benefit from the commercial opportunities associated with developing the nascent lunar and deep space economy. This contract award signals a step change in how we use different tools as a government agency to support the growing space sector and strengthen international partnerships."
With lunar missions on the rise, including upcoming projects such as Intuitive Machines' IM-2, Astrobotic's Griffin Mission One, and NASA's Artemis-II, Goonhilly's enhanced capabilities will be pivotal in ensuring deep space networks can handle the surge in communication needs. The agreement with the UK Space Agency will initially focus on demonstrating downlink telemetry and navigation services, with long-term plans to extend to uplink operations for spacecraft control.
Matthew Cosby, CTO of Goonhilly Earth Station, stated, "Goonhilly is at the forefront of commercial lunar and deep space communication services, providing vital infrastructure and expertise that supports international missions to the Moon and beyond. As the demand for deep space communications continues to grow, this new contract enables us to expand our capacity, support more missions, and play a key role in the next chapter of space exploration. We are excited to be contributing to the global space ecosystem and strengthening the UK's leadership in this critical area."
Goonhilly's role in the space industry is central to a burgeoning cluster of over 300 space organizations in Cornwall and the South West, generating GBP 600 million annually and employing 3,200 people.
Related Links
Goonhilly Earth Station
Deep Space network
Space Technology News - Applications and Research
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