Cornwall Space Centre to Assist NASA's First Manned Moon Mission in Over 50 Years
Goonhilly Earth Station, a ground station located near Helston in Cornwall, has been selected to provide essential communications support for NASA's historic Artemis II mission. This marks the first time humans will return to the moon since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972, representing a significant milestone in space exploration.
Tracking the Orion Spacecraft
The facility will passively track the crewed Orion spacecraft as it journeys around the moon and returns to Earth. This role demonstrates the United Kingdom's, and specifically Cornwall's, capability to support deep-space missions from British soil. Staff at Goonhilly believe this involvement will highlight the region's growing importance in the global space industry.
Matthew Cosby, Chief Technology Officer of Goonhilly Earth Station, expressed pride in the centre's contribution. "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," he said. "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."
Historical Context and Future Prospects
Goonhilly has a rich heritage in space communication, having been involved in broadcasting the Apollo 11 Moon landing in 1969. In 2022, the centre provided critical communication and tracking support for NASA's Artemis I mission, using its 32-metre GHY-6 antenna and expert teams to track the uncrewed Orion spacecraft and communicate with six CubeSats.
For Artemis II, the focus will shift to tracking the crewed Orion spacecraft as it travels beyond low Earth orbit, orbits the moon, and makes its return journey. Goonhilly is one of a limited number of organisations worldwide with the infrastructure required for deep-space communications, making it a key player in this historic endeavour.
Government and Industry Support
UK Space Minister Liz Lloyd praised the partnership, stating, "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."
In addition to the Artemis II mission, Goonhilly is collaborating with the UK Space Agency and NASA on other projects. These include exploring downlink solutions for near-real-time space weather measurement enabled by NASA's Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP), a heliophysics observatory designed to study particle acceleration and the boundary to interstellar space.
The Artemis II mission is notable not only for being the first crewed moon mission in over five decades but also for including the first woman and first black astronaut to travel beyond low Earth orbit. This underscores the mission's broader significance in advancing diversity and inclusion in space exploration.
