UK Station Powers Moon Mission

Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall, UK, is slated to support NASA's Artemis II mission, marking a significant step in humanity's return to the Moon. The mission, featuring astronauts flying around the Moon for the first time in over five decades, is scheduled for an early April launch from Florida's Kennedy Space Centre.

Goonhilly will provide crucial tracking capabilities for the Orion spacecraft during its journey around the Moon and back to Earth. This follows their successful support for the Artemis I mission in 2022. The UK government highlights this partnership as a testament to British expertise, aiming to secure a key role in NASA's long-term Moon to Mars exploration strategy.