The addition of 44 antennas to Intuitive Machines’ network is expected to enhance support for customers’ GEO missions and accelerate progress toward Moon base and deep-space operations.
Intuitive Machines Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd., a deep-space communications provider with major ground station assets in the United Kingdom and Goonhilly USA Inc. (dba COMSAT).
Goonhilly is a 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 NASA and ESA and private exploration companies, including Intuitive Machines and ispace, representing a vital UK contribution to the international space sector.
In 2024 and 2025, the company played a critical role in Intuitive Machines’ IM-1 and IM-2 lunar missions.
The acquisition will include the Goonhilly Lunar and Deep Space Communications, Commercial Satcom and Defense and Security divisions. It significantly expands global ground-station resources and capacity on Intuitive Machines’ integrated space-to-ground network.
Upon completion of the proposed acquisition, the expanded network is expected to deliver communications, data transport and position, navigation and timing (PNT) capabilities for sustained lunar and cislunar operations.
Goonhilly’s and COMSAT’s civil, commercial and government customers are expected to complement Intuitive Machines’ existing customer base and broaden the Company’s reach into adjacent industries. Upon completion of the acquisition, its strategic UK location will expand visibility across major Earth‑viewing arcs, increasing contact opportunities for lunar and deep‑space missions. With deep expertise in antenna planning, scheduling and station maintenance, Goonhilly’s ground station assets and competencies strengthen Intuitive Machines’ ability to deliver end‑to‑end mission support.
“Customers have been clear that they want a single, integrated, and resilient solution for their communications and PNT needs as they accelerate missions at an unprecedented pace,” said Steve Altemus, co‑founder and CEO of Intuitive Machines. “Our partners of integrated space‑to‑ground network are configured to support missions across LEO, lunar and cislunar environments through a single source for communications, PNT and data transport. 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.”
The Intuitive Machines space-to-ground network combines a lunar data-relay constellation with a global ground segment to maintain persistent line-of-sight communications with the Moon. Goonhilly is expected to enhance this architecture with deep space assets, including the GHY6 32-meter antenna, the cryogenically cooled GHY3 30-meter antenna, and multiband support across X-band, S-band, and Ka-/Ku-band. This will give customers greater flexibility in mission design and more options for communicating with spacecraft throughout lunar and deep space operations.
“Goonhilly has spent years building a world class deep space communications capability,” said Kenn Herskind. Executive Chairman of Goonhilly. “Joining Intuitive Machines 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.”
The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals, including under the UK National Security and Investment Act 2021 and from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.
