Cornwall space centre to assist NASA’s first manned moon mission in more than 50 years

It will be the first time humans have returned to the moon since 1972

A Cornish space centre is to provide communications support to the world’s first manned moon mission in more than half a century. Goonhilly, a ground station near Helston, will play a role in NASA’s historic Artemis II voyage by passively tracking the Orion spacecraft as it journeys around the moon and back to earth.

Staff at the satellite company believe tracking the spacecraft will demonstrate the UK – and Cornwall’s – capability to support deep-space missions from British soil.

The mission will mark the first time humans have returned to the moon since 1972, with Apollo 17. It will also include the first woman and black astronaut to travel beyond low earth orbit.

Matthew Cosby, CTO of Goonhilly Earth Station, said: “Artemis II marks a significant milestone in humanity’s return to the moon, and we’re proud that the capabilities developed here in Cornwall are contributing to that mission.

“From our site, we will support tracking of the Orion spacecraft, showcasing our readiness for future crewed Artemis missions. At the same time, we are positioning the UK to play a key role in NASA’s longer‑term Moon‑to‑Mars exploration strategy.”

In 2022, Goonhilly provided critical communication and tracking support for NASA’s Artemis I. Using its 32-metre GHY-6 antenna and expert teams, the facility tracked the mission’s uncrewed Orion spacecraft and communicated with six of the CubeSats launched on the mission.

For Artemis II, tracking will focus on the crewed Orion spacecraft as it journeys beyond low earth orbit, flying around the moon, and returning to earth.

Goonhilly is one of a limited number of organisations worldwide with the infrastructure required to support deep-space communications. The site was involved in broadcasting the Apollo 11 Moon landing in 1969 as well as supporting modern missions to the moon and Mars.

UK space minister Liz Lloyd said: “Goonhilly’s rich heritage in space communication continues to inspire. It’s fantastic to see Cornwall once again at the heart of a truly historic moment in human spaceflight. This partnership with NASA shows what British expertise and innovation can achieve on the world stage, while creating opportunities for skilled jobs and growth right here in the UK.”

Elsewhere, Goonhilly is working with the UK Space Agency and NASA to explore downlink solutions for near-real time space weather measurement enabled by NASA’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP).

This new heliophysics observatory is designed to study particle acceleration and the boundary to interstellar space, and at the same time provides solar wind and space weather observations.