Goonhilly Earth Station has revealed details of its plans to become a world-leading centre for space communications and exploration.
The satellite communication facility recently won an £8.4 million contract from the European Space Agency and a further £24 million funding injection from UK billionaire Peter Hargreaves.
Today it set out a roadmap for its expansion which includes:
- Installing new deep space antennas for the launch of the first private deep space communication network. It will support commercial lunar and Mars missions from 2020
- Investing in infrastructure and facilities in the US and Australia to support deep space projects, LEO constellations and international terrestrial projects
- Construction of a state-of-the-art, green data centre featuring unparalleled connectivity
- The opening of an R&D and manufacturing facility to support customers, to design and develop a range of satellite communications products and to further grow well-established partnerships with university researchers
- Investing in talent across business development, operations and engineering
Goonhilly Earth Station CEO, Ian Jones, said: “Many of the world’s leading space companies have already selected Goonhilly as a trusted partner. As we enter into our next chapter of expansion, our aim is to be the preferred partner for organisations seeking to take advantage of our disruptive, entrepreneurial approach to business.
“We are always seeking opportunities to add value for our clients, so they can grow their businesses as we grow ours. We have the skills and facilities to deliver that growth as well as access to an unprecedented range of connectivity and technical options.”
Goonhilly is an Enterprise Zone, offering incentives for companies wishing to locate offices and facilities on site. It also hosts the Southwest Regional Centre of Excellence in Satellite Applications and is a UK Space Agency-sponsored incubation centre for micro businesses.
Jones added: “As access to space becomes more affordable and available there is an explosion of interest in space solutions, and a new golden age of science and creativity.
“We are providing the facilities and people to nurture ideas emerging at start-ups and universities and helping them evolve into commercial opportunities.”
