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.