The European Space Agency (ESA) has officially opened a new deep space antenna in New Norcia, Western Australia, as part of a broader initiative to enhance collaboration between Europe and Australia in the realm of space. The event, held on October 4th, celebrated the completion of a 35-meter antenna designed to communicate with spacecraft located throughout the solar system.
This new antenna, the second at New Norcia, represents the fourth addition to ESA’s global Estrack network. According to Josef Aschbacher, ESA’s director general, “This strategic investment reinforces ESA’s deep space communication capabilities and maximizes the return of our missions’ most valuable asset: data delivered from spacecraft voyaging far from Earth.”
Dubbed New Norcia 3, the antenna is expected to begin operations next March, supporting communications with ESA spacecraft. Its advanced features include cryocooling technology for the receiver, reducing noise and increasing sensitivity. Mehran Sarkarati, head of ESA’s ground station engineering division, noted last month that it is "the most modern, most advanced antenna ESA has.”
The addition of New Norcia 3, alongside existing antennas in Argentina and Spain, is intended to meet the rising demand for space communications. Sarkarati explained that “Everything is becoming more data intensive: our payloads and instruments are becoming more advanced, and our missions are increasing,” adding that despite this new addition, capacity will still be tight, prompting a proposal for a fifth deep space antenna in South America.
The construction of New Norcia 3 involved a 62.3 million euros investment by ESA ($73.2 million USD). The Australian government contributed 4 million Australian dollars ($2.6 million USD) to support the antenna’s development. Enrico Palermo, head of the Australian Space Agency, clarified that the Australian contribution was not tied to a specific part of the project but rather to general support. The agency anticipates an annual economic impact of $4.5 million over the antenna’s 50-year lifespan, calling it “quite a significant economic return, locally, on the $4 million investment.”
The New Norcia site is managed by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, which also manages NASA’s Deep Space Network complex near Canberra. Palermo emphasized that "It deepens Australia’s reputation in deep space communications," stating, "We want to remain a trusted partner in the world’s exploration missions, and we see that continuing through New Norcia 3.”
The cooperative relationship between Europe and Australia in space is further expanding. During the International Astronautical Congress in September, Australia announced plans to pursue a formal cooperative agreement with ESA. This could potentially grant Australia a status similar to Canada's, enabling Australian companies and organizations to participate in ESA programs. Aschbacher stated that “New and exciting opportunities between the European and Australian space sectors are opening up with Australia announcing this week a mandate to begin negotiations on a cooperative agreement with ESA.”