Business & Technology
Intuitive Machines to acquire Goonhilly in UK deal
Intuitive Machines is set to acquire Goonhilly, subject to UK regulatory approval, leaving the Cornwall-based company as a UK entity under US ownership.
The deal also includes Goonhilly USA, known as COMSAT, and would add 44 antennas to Intuitive Machines’ existing network. The combined business would continue to run Goonhilly’s operations from Cornwall while linking them with COMSAT’s teleport sites in Connecticut and California.
Goonhilly has built its business around lunar and deep space communications, a niche drawing growing attention as government agencies and private operators increase activity beyond Earth orbit. It says it has supported more than 20 missions since entering the commercial market for these services in 2021, including work for NASA, the European Space Agency, ispace and Intuitive Machines.
Its role in Intuitive Machines’ recent lunar missions appears to have helped underpin the transaction. In 2024 and 2025, Goonhilly supported the US group’s IM-1 and IM-2 missions, giving the two companies an established operational relationship before the takeover agreement.
The move gives Intuitive Machines a direct presence in the UK space sector and adds a ground station business with experience in communications for spacecraft operating beyond geostationary orbit. Alongside deep space links, Goonhilly and COMSAT also provide satellite ground station services and radio frequency-based space domain awareness work for security-focused customers.
Growing demand
The transaction comes as operators across the space sector seek more ground infrastructure to maintain contact with spacecraft over greater distances and for longer missions. Deep space communications networks remain a specialised part of the market, but they are becoming more important as lunar missions increase and more companies pursue sustained operations around and on the Moon.
For the UK, the deal keeps one of the country’s better-known space assets in Cornwall while placing it within a larger US group. The business would retain its UK status after the acquisition rather than moving operations overseas.
That point was central to the reaction from ministers. “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,” said Liz Lloyd, UK space minister.
Management reaction
Goonhilly’s leadership described the transaction as the next stage in a long-standing partnership between the two businesses. “Having worked closely with Intuitive Machines for many years, we’re delighted to be taking this transformative step in our relationship,” said Kenn Herskind, executive chairman of Goonhilly. “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.”
For Intuitive Machines, the purchase broadens the ground segment of its business as spacecraft operators seek more integrated support. “Customers rely on resilient connectivity and communication as they establish a Moon base and deep space environments,” said Steve Altemus, co-founder and chief executive of Intuitive Machines. “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.”
Cornwall base
Goonhilly is focused on maintaining continuity for existing customers during the ownership change. That matters because ground station services are part of operational mission support, and interruptions can affect command, control and data handling for spacecraft operators.
The business traces its identity to the historic Goonhilly Earth Station site in Cornwall, long associated with satellite communications in the UK. In recent years, it has repositioned itself around newer space markets, including lunar communications and tracking services for missions beyond standard commercial satellite orbits.
The proposed takeover reflects a wider industry trend as operators seek to combine spacecraft, network and ground assets under common ownership. For Intuitive Machines, buying Goonhilly and COMSAT would extend that model with infrastructure in both the UK and the US, and deepen its reach into commercial, civil and security-related communications work.
Upon completion, Goonhilly will continue operating from Cornwall and will keep working closely with the COMSAT teleports in Connecticut and California.
Celebrating both GCSE and A-Level Results Days, the chain will offer the popular dish to students who buy one of its bubble teas.
The free offer is available at all 42 Rosa’s Thai restaurants across England and Wales.
To avail of the free noodles, students need to register on Rosa’s Thai website for a unique code, which they should present at the restaurant together with a copy of their results.
Rosa’s Thai has a new range of bubble tea flavours, including Ube-Taro, Matcha-Coconut, Mango Sticky Rice, and Milo Chocolate Milk, as well as favourites like Home-brewed Thai Tea with Tapioca, and Lychee Mango with mango boba.
Students can sign up for their free Pad Thai at rosasthai.com/result-day-free-pad-thai and find their nearest restaurant at rosasthai.com/locations.
The London Mint Office, which distributes commemorative coins and medals, appointed administrators on July 31 after 20 years in business.
The company’s website now displays a message confirming the appointment of Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP as joint administrators.
A spokesman for Alvarez and Marsal said: “On July 31 2026, Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP were appointed as Joint Administrators of The London Mint Office Limited in administration (the “Company”).
“Regrettably, the Company’s liquidity challenges have led to a number of immediate redundancies. We are supporting the affected employees through the redundancy process.
What Happens When a Company Goes Into Administration?
“The affairs, business and property of the Company are being managed by the Joint Administrators who act as agents of the Company and without personal liability.”
The announcement confirms that it is no longer possible to purchase coins or medals through the company’s website.
The London Mint Office operates a distribution centre in Tonypandy, Rhondda Cynon Taf, where it employs a significant number of people.
Administration is a formal insolvency process triggered when a business cannot meet its financial obligations.
An insolvency practitioner is appointed to manage the company’s affairs and may attempt to restructure the business or sell off assets to repay creditors.
What happens when a company goes into Liquidation?
Founded in 2006, The London Mint Office describes itself as “one of the UK’s most trusted suppliers of historic, commemorative, and collector coins.”
It is part of Samlerhuset AS, a Norwegian company based near Oslo and one of Europe’s largest distributors of commemorative coins and medals.
Samlerhuset’s website states that it offers “provide a wide range of coins from ancient to modern, originating from virtually every country in the world.”
The London Mint Office has advised anyone with an interest in the company’s assets to contact the administrators at INS_THLMOL@alvarezandmarsal.com.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally decided that both discounters should be added to the Groceries Market Investigation (Controlled Land) Order 2010, which currently applies to Asda, Co-op, Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose.
This order is designed to prevent large grocery retailers from using land agreements to block competitors from opening nearby stores, often through restrictive covenants or exclusivity terms.
Juliette Enser, executive director of competition enforcement and markets at the CMA, said: “We want everyone to have the best choice of supermarket and range of prices when buying their groceries.
“To ensure this happens, we put rules in place to prevent big supermarket chains blocking rival stores from opening nearby – and now we propose applying those rules to Aldi and Lidl too.
“This is about allowing shoppers to choose where they spend their money and levelling the playing field for all major supermarkets.
“Today’s proposals are provisional and we welcome views before deciding the best way forward.”
The CMA’s review found that Aldi, Lidl GB, and Lidl NI now meet the criteria of ‘Large Grocery Retailers’ (LGRs) due to their store footprint, nationwide presence, procurement model, and the breadth of their grocery range.
Aldi and Lidl were originally excluded from the 2010 order as ‘limited assortment discounters’, offering a smaller selection of products compared to traditional supermarkets.
However, the CMA’s provisional findings indicate that this is no longer the case.
All three now operate large grocery stores, each with more than 1,000 square metres of shop floor space, and offer a full range of products, though with less category choice than some competitors.
They also purchase goods directly from suppliers through integrated wholesaling.
With the UK grocery market estimated to be worth £215 billion, Aldi and Lidl are now ranked among the top five retailers by market share.
The CMA is seeking feedback from stakeholders before reaching a final decision.
Aldi and Lidl could join the other supermarket chains later this year.
The CMA is inviting views until 5pm on Monday, September 7, 2026, and will issue its final decision in the autumn after reviewing responses.
If the discounters are included under the order, they will be prevented from using land agreements to limit competition from other supermarket chains.
The CMA aims to ensure competition across the grocery sector to give shoppers more choice and competitive pricing by removing obstacles to new store openings.
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