For £37 million.
A satellite station in Cornwall is changing hands. Again. But this time it goes to American hands. Specifically, Intuitive Machine (IM).
They aren’t just buying antennas. They’re buying history. Or at least, they are buying the Goonhilly Lunar and Deep Space network. Rumored to be the world’s first private deep space communications link.
It’s a bold move. IM wants to expand its reach into the void.
Goonhilly has spent years building a global-class capability. Joining IM scales it.
That’s the pitch anyway. Kenn Herskind says the partnership will directly support the “next era of lunar exploration.” Big words for a place near Helston.
Why the rush?
Steve Altemus, the CEO, claims customers are tired of piecing together their comms. They want one thing. Resilient. Integrated. Single. Goonhilly becomes the backbone. The core. The fix.
The deal includes 44 antennas. All of them. Ready to point up and talk to the Moon. Or Mars.
It’s set to close later this year. Artemis needs friends. So do international missions. Interoperability matters more when you’re light years from home support.
We’ll see how it works out.
The ground is sold. The sky remains wide open. 🛰️
