Connecting the Moon: Goonhilly’s Crucial Support for IM-2 Lunar Mission

Update:

Matt Cosby, CTO at Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd told Orbital Today that the mission had been going smoothly thus far. “GES and Intuitive Machines have been working closely since IM-1 and between IM-1 and IM-2, and we’ve been rehearsing for a few months” Despite their prior experience, “it doesn’t get old because it’s exciting to be actually working on a lunar mission,” he said.

GES Provides Essential Communications

Goonhilly Earth Station is playing a key role in one of 2025’s most important lunar missions. The Cornwall-based company is providing essential communications for the IM-2 mission, a major step toward using the Moon’s natural resources to support future space exploration.

The mission, led by Intuitive Machines as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) programme, launched on 27 February 2025 (UK time). It’s one of several missions this year that Goonhilly is backing as the space industry moves towards a permanent human presence on the Moon.

Turning Lunar Ice into Fuel for the Future

IM-2 isn’t just about exploration. It’s a test of whether water ice beneath the Moon’s surface can be extracted and processed for fuel and life support. If successful, this could be revolutionary for deep space travel.

The mission’s Nova-C class lunar lander, Athena, lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at 7:16 p.m. ET on 26 February 2025. Forty-four minutes later, it reached orbit. First contact was confirmed at 8:17 p.m. ET. Goonhilly will be providing communications support every step of the way, right up until landing.

Goonhilly Steps Up as Demand for Lunar Communications Grows

With more missions heading to the Moon, demand for reliable Earth-to-Moon communications is rising fast. Traditional government networks are struggling to keep up, and commercial providers like Goonhilly are filling the gap.

“As the space industry continues to rapidly evolve, Goonhilly is playing a key role in shaping the lunar economy,” said Matthew Cosby, Chief Technology Officer at Goonhilly Earth Station. “By providing robust, commercial lunar communications, we are not just supporting individual missions – we are helping to build the infrastructure that will enable a long-term human presence beyond Earth.”

The UK is increasingly involved in space innovation. Joshua King, Deep Space Telecommunications Investment Lead at the UK Space Agency, praised Goonhilly’s efforts.

“Goonhilly’s support to commercial lunar communications is a great example of the UK’s important role in global space exploration efforts,” he said. “By fostering innovation and capitalising on private investment, we can ensure the UK remains at the forefront of a sector that continues to rapidly evolve. The growing need for commercial services and infrastructure to sustain a long-term human presence beyond Earth offers a significant opportunity to boost economic growth and create high-skilled jobs in the UK.”

Laying the Groundwork for a Permanent Human Presence on the Moon

The IM-2 mission will also carry Nokia’s Lunar Surface Communication System (LSCS). This will test a 4G/LTE network on the Moon – a crucial step toward supporting future lunar operations.

Goonhilly’s role in space exploration is growing. Its commercial deep space network, the first of its kind, has already provided nearly 9,000 hours of support for missions beyond Earth orbit. Over 800 of those hours have been dedicated to lunar operations.

As more missions push towards a sustainable lunar economy, Goonhilly is ensuring the infrastructure is in place to support them. The company’s expertise in deep space communications is helping pave the way for future industries, from lunar mining to interplanetary logistics.