Satellite which beamed Live Aid gig around the world in £2m upgrade to allow Britain to communicate with Mars space missions

The satellite which beamed the Live Aid concert around the world will be upgraded to allow Britain to communicate with space missions to Mars.

The £8.4m project at Goonhilly Earth Station, in Cornwall, will help create the world’s first commercial deep-space communications station, capable of tracking future missions to the Moon and Mars.

The two year project will see the the satellite antenna, which is based at the oldest commercial satellite station in the world, have "the ability to track and control forthcoming robotic and human missions".

The scheme at Goonhilly, which famously beamed images of the moon landings to millions of television viewers, will be the first time the UK has had the capability to communicate directly with deep-space missions.

Science Minister Sam Gyimah said: “We’re working hard to ensure the UK thrives in the commercial space age as part of the Government’s Industrial Strategy, so it’s fantastic to see the world’s first commercial deep space communications network coming to Cornwall.

“The UK Space Agency has played a vital role in supporting this partnership and will continue to work alongside industry, local leaders and international partners to grow the UK’s share of the global space market. 

"We already play a significant role in satellite manufacturing, with one in four of the world’s telecommunications satellites built in the UK, and want to establish the UK as a world-leading destination for space launch."

In future, Goonhilly will complement the capability of the European Space Agency's (ESA) worldwide ground station network, which today comprises seven core stations supporting more than 20 earth, observatory, planetary and exploration spacecraft as well as European launchers.

The contract is being funded through the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership’s Growth Deal with the UK Government, via ESA, including €2 million which comes from the UK Space Agency’s investment in ESA. 

The investment will see ESA working with Goonhilly to upgrade one of its largest antennas, the 32m diameter GHY-6 antenna built in 1985.

Colin Baldwin, Head of Local Growth Strategy at the UK Space Agency, said: “We are delighted that the work the Agency did to support this partnership has come to fruition. We see huge opportunities for the developing space sector in Cornwall and look forward to working with local partners, including Goonhilly Earth Station and the LEP, as their plans develop.”

Goonhilly CEO Ian Jones added: “We already have a great deal of interest in using the upgraded antenna from our international customer base. This includes space agencies, such as ESA, as well as some of the new private space exploration companies."

Goonhilly has previously featured in talks to build a commercial spaceport at Cornwall Airport, Newquay.