A US-listed company is planning to purchase a satellite earth station in Cornwall for £37 million, pending regulatory approval. Intuitive Machines, a space technology, infrastructure, and services provider based in Texas, has agreed to acquire Goonhilly, a ground station near Helston.
Acquisition Details
The Houston-based company stated that the acquisition would enhance its communications capabilities for moon base and deep space operations, offering customers more options for maintaining contact and controlling spacecraft. Goonhilly is one of a limited number of organizations worldwide with the infrastructure to support deep-space communications. The site was instrumental in broadcasting the Apollo 11 Moon landing in 1969 and continues to support modern missions to the moon and Mars.
Under the agreement, Goonhilly will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Intuitive Machines, retaining its status as a UK entity. Intuitive Machines is also acquiring Goonhilly's wholly owned subsidiary, Goonhilly USA Inc.
Statements from Leadership
"Having worked closely with Intuitive Machines for many years, we’re delighted to be taking this transformative step in our relationship," said Goonhilly executive chairman Kenn Herskind. "Both our companies are playing an increasingly important commercial role in the future of space exploration and utilisation – we’re excited to shape that reality together."
Goonhilly is the world’s first commercial provider of lunar and deep space communications services and has supported more than 20 missions for organizations such as NASA and the European Space Agency. In March, Goonhilly announced it would provide communications support to the world's first manned moon mission in more than half a century.
"Customers rely on resilient connectivity and communication as they establish a moon base and deep space environments," said Steve Altemus, co-founder and chief executive of Intuitive Machines. "Goonhilly provided deep ground station and communications expertise and technological prowess during our IM-1 and IM-2 missions and also proven on missions for NASA, ESA, and many other leaders. Together with COMSAT’s secure teleport infrastructure, brings critical strength to the space-to-ground network our customers depend on to operate their spacecraft."
Government Reaction
Space minister Liz Lloyd said the acquisition by Intuitive Machines was "testament" to Goonhilly's "world-class capabilities" and that the station would remain in Cornwall. "Combining Goonhilly's expertise in lunar and deep space communications with Intuitive Machines’ global reach and resources has the potential to bring new investment, new jobs and new opportunities for the UK space sector," she added.
