Goonhilly Earth Station
By Oliver Vergnault,
Publihed by Cornwall Live, 15 May 2026
The deal needs UK Government approval
Cornwall’s iconic space base Goonhilly Earth Station (GES) is set to be sold off to the Americans pending UK Government approval.
GES, which is located on the Lizard Peninsula not far from Helston, has announced it is to be acquired by Intuitive Machines (Nasdaq: LUNR), a space technology, infrastructure, and services leader based in Houston, Texas.
Under the agreement, Goonhilly will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Nasdaq-listed Intuitive Machines, retaining its status as a UK entity while benefitting from expanded resources, technology, and global reach. Intuitive Machines is also acquiring Goonhilly’s wholly owned subsidiary, Goonhilly USA Inc.
Goonhilly is the world’s first and most experienced commercial provider of lunar and deep space communications services.
Since becoming the first commercial provider of these services in 2021, Goonhilly has supported more than 20 missions for space agencies like NASA and ESA and private exploration companies including such as Intuitive machines and ispace.
In 2024 and 2025, the company played a critical role in Intuitive Machines’ IM-1 and IM-2 lunar missions.
The two companies said the acquisition will “combine Goonhilly and Intuitive Machines resources to help accelerate innovation and the delivery of new services for national security and commercial satellite communications customers”.
Goonhilly Executive Chairman, Kenn Herskind said: “Having worked closely with Intuitive Machines for many years, we’re delighted to be taking this transformative step in our relationship.
“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.”
Steve Altemus, co‑founder and CEO of Intuitive Machines added: “Customers rely on resilient connectivity and communication as they establish a Moon base and deep space environments.
“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.”
The acquisition will need to be approved by the government before it can be completed.
Space Minister Liz Lloyd said: “Goonhilly Earth Station is a uniquely British success story, and this acquisition by Intuitive Machines, subject to regulatory approval, is a testament to the world-class capabilities it has built right here in Cornwall, where it will remain.
“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.”
See: Original Article
US firm set to buy satellite station in £37m deal
By Dan Wareing,
Published by The BBC, 15 May 2026
A US aerospace company has announced plans to buy a satellite earth station in Cornwall.
Intuitive Machine (IM) revealed it was to acquire Goonhilly Earth Station, Helston, as part of efforts to boost its deep space communications network.
The £37m deal, external includes the station’s 44 antennas, as well as the Goonhilly Lunar and Deep Space, believed to be the world’s first private deep space communications network.
Goonhilly said the move, which is set to be completed later this year, would “directly support the next era of lunar exploration”.
“Goonhilly has spent years building a world class deep space communications capability,” said Kenn Herskind from Goonhilly.
“Joining IM will allow us to scale that capability globally and directly support the next era of lunar exploration.
“Together, we will be creating a commercial lunar communications network that is interoperable, resilient, and ready to support Artemis and international missions.”
IM said its customers “had been clear that they wanted a single, integrated, and resilient solution for their communications”.
“Goonhilly will provide the backbone for this network, scales our global ground presence, and will bring a strategic core competency to the Intuitive Machines team,” said Steve Altemus, CEO of IM.
See: Original Article
