Intuitive Machines has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd, the United Kingdom’s leading deep space communications provider, and its U.S. subsidiary Goonhilly USA Inc., operating as COMSAT.
The deal adds 44 antennas to Intuitive Machines’ space-to-ground network and brings in Goonhilly’s Lunar and Deep Space Communications, Commercial Satcom, and Defense and Security divisions.
The acquisition is aimed squarely at building an integrated, end-to-end network for communications, data transport, and position, navigation, and timing services across low Earth orbit, lunar, and cislunar environments. Goonhilly’s assets include the 32-meter GHY6 antenna and the cryogenically cooled 30-meter GHY3, with multiband support across X-, S-, and Ka-/Ku-band frequencies. Its strategic location in Cornwall expands Earth-viewing arc coverage for lunar and deep-space contact windows.
“Customers have been clear that they want a single, integrated, and resilient solution for their communications and PNT needs as they accelerate missions at an unprecedented pace,” said Steve Altemus, co-founder and CEO of Intuitive Machines.
The transaction follows Intuitive Machines’ January acquisition of Lanteris Space Systems (formerly Maxar Space Systems) for approximately $800 million and a subsequent $175 million strategic equity investment. The company reported record Q1 2026 revenue and raised its full-year guidance to $900 million–$1 billion, with a backlog of $1.1 billion. Intuitive Machines was also recently selected for the Air Force’s $1.8 billion Andromeda contract vehicle for space domain awareness.
Goonhilly will retain its UK identity and Cornwall base as a wholly owned subsidiary. The transaction requires approval under the UK National Security and Investment Act 2021 and from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, with close expected in Q3 2026.
