Historic UK Satellite Station Joins Moon Missions in $47M Deal

Jan de Vries · 2026-05-27

A piece of space history just got a new chapter. Cornwall's Goonhilly Earth Station, the iconic satellite hub that once tracked Apollo missions and relayed Live Aid, is set to support future lunar exploration under a $47 million deal with Intuitive Machines. ### From Apollo to Artemis Goonhilly has been a quiet giant in space communications since the 1960s. It was the first station to receive live TV signals from the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969. Now, it's stepping up again. The new contract with Intuitive Machines, a leading private lunar company, means Goonhilly will provide critical communication links for missions heading to the Moon. This isn't just nostalgia. It's a strategic move. Intuitive Machines is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, which aims to deliver science and technology payloads to the lunar surface. Goonhilly's deep-space antennas, upgraded over the years, are now capable of supporting these complex missions. ### What the Deal Means The $47 million deal covers the next several years. Goonhilly will offer tracking, telemetry, and command services for Intuitive Machines' lunar landers. Think of it as a long-distance phone line for robots on the Moon. Without these links, we can't talk to our spacecraft. Simple as that. Here's what makes Goonhilly special: - **Historic capability**: It's one of the few commercial stations with deep-space antennas. - **Location**: Cornwall's coastal position gives it a clear view of the southern sky, ideal for lunar missions. - **Proven track record**: It's already supported missions like Mars Science Laboratory and the Emirates Mars Mission. ### A New Role for a Historic Site Goonhilly isn't just a museum piece. It's a working facility that's been quietly modernizing. The site covers 270 acres, with dishes ranging from 98 feet to 105 feet in diameter. The largest, called "Merlin," was originally built for the Apollo program. Now it's being prepped for a new generation of lunar explorers. The deal also puts Cornwall on the map for space innovation. The region has been building a space cluster, with Spaceport Cornwall nearby. This contract could attract more investment and talent to the area. ### Why This Matters for Space Business For professionals watching the space industry, this deal is a sign of things to come. Private companies like Intuitive Machines are driving down costs and increasing access to the Moon. But they need ground infrastructure to succeed. Goonhilly fills that gap. It's also a reminder that old infrastructure can find new life. The same dishes that relayed Ali's fights and Live Aid concerts are now part of humanity's return to the Moon. That's a pretty cool story. ### What's Next Goonhilly's next big test will come when Intuitive Machines launches its next lunar mission, expected in 2025. The station will be ready. And for those of us who remember the grainy Apollo 11 footage, it's nice to know the same team is still helping us explore. If you're in the space business, keep an eye on Goonhilly. It's not just a relic. It's a launchpad for the future.