The Artemis II launch from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida must take place between Wednesday and next Monday or it will have to wait until the end of the month for another chance. Goonhilly Earth Station, near Helston, Cornwall, will help to track the Orion spacecraft as it travels around the Moon and back to Earth. Nasa’s Artemis II rocket with the Orion spacecraft (Chris O’Meara/AP)The satellite and space company has been involved in events such as broadcasting the Apollo 11 Moon landing to the world in 1969, and landing a commercial spacecraft on the Moon for the first time. In 2022, the site previously provided critical communication and tracking support for Nasa’s Artemis I.Matthew Cosby, chief technology officer of the Goonhilly Earth Station, said: “Artemis II marks a significant milestone in humanity’s return to the Moon, and we’re proud that the capabilities developed here in Cornwall are contributing to that mission. “From our site, we will support tracking of the Orion spacecraft, showcasing our readiness for future crewed Artemis missions.

Source: The Times March 30, 2026 11:47 UTC