ESA launches a new deep space antenna in WA

Located in New Norcia, about 115 km north of Perth, Western Australia, the ‘New Norcia 3’ antenna will help meet the agency’s fast-increasing data download needs and secure Europe’s independence and leadership in space.

Started in 2021 and delivered on schedule, this construction is the result of the outstanding capabilities of ESA, European and Australian industry, and excellent cooperation with our Australian partners. When the new deep space antenna enters service in 2026, it will support ESA’s current flagship missions flown as part of the agency’s scientific, exploration and space safety fleets, including Juice, Solar Orbiter, BepiColombo, Mars Express and Hera, and will be a critical enabler for upcoming missions including Plato, Envision, Ariel, Ramses and Vigil.

ESA’s fourth deep space antenna, the second one on the site at New Norcia, is the most technologically sophisticated antenna to date. It incorporates advanced deep space communication capabilities, including components cryogenically cooled to around -263°C, near absolute zero.

This sensitivity allows it to detect extremely weak signals from distant spacecraft and to maximise data return. For transmission, a 20kW radio-frequency amplifier enables transmission of commands to spacecraft millions and even billions of kilometres away from Earth.

The antenna also features advanced clock and timing systems and world-class radio frequency communication tools and techniques to support deep space communication.