Lunar communications capacity in the United States is getting a boost as Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) partners with Morehead State University (MSU) in Kentucky. Announced on 30 October from Denver and Morehead, the deal adds the MSU Space Science Center’s 21-meter and 12-meter-class antennas to the KSAT Lunar Network, which supports communications and tracking for deep space and lunar missions.
According to the announcement, the partnership lets mission operators keep reliable links with spacecraft operating beyond Earth orbit by adding network capacity and resiliency over the Eastern United States.
What the deal adds to lunar communications
KSAT is a large commercial provider of ground station, Earth observation and satellite operations services. Headquartered in Tromsø, Norway, it says it runs the largest commercial satellite ground station network in the world, including facilities in Svalbard and Antarctica. Its U.S. subsidiary, KSAT Inc., serves government, civil and commercial customers.
Missions to the Moon need ground stations that can track a spacecraft hundreds of thousands of kilometers away, send it commands and receive its data. A single dish can only see a spacecraft for part of each day as the Earth turns, so operators rely on networks of antennas in different places. Adding stations in Kentucky gives the KSAT Lunar Network more coverage and backup in the eastern part of the country.
“Partnering with MSU advances KSAT’s ability to deliver the communications infrastructure required for the accelerated demand for deep space and lunar missions,” said Dan Adams, general manager of KSAT Inc. He added that the partnership helps enable science and exploration missions today “while developing the next-generation workforce to support the long-term development of the U.S. cislunar economy.”
Morehead State’s deep space track record
MSU’s Space Science Center operates a 21-meter ground station and a 12-meter tracking antenna that provides lunar tracking services, along with smaller ground stations for satellite telecommunications. The center has carried out seven small satellite missions to date and runs undergraduate, graduate and Doctor of Engineering programs in Space Systems Engineering.
The 21-meter dish has an established deep space record. According to a SPIE conference paper by the station team, the antenna, known as Deep Space Station 17, joined NASA’s Deep Space Network in 2022 as an affiliated node. It has tracked NASA’s CAPSTONE mission and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. In 2024, MSU provided tracking and command support for Intuitive Machines’ IM-1 lunar lander mission, according to the university.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting the future of space exploration through innovation, education, and collaboration,” said Dr. Benjamin K. Malphrus, executive director of the Space Science Center. “Working with KSAT provides exciting opportunities for our students and researchers while enabling us to contribute directly to the thriving commercial sector.”
Artemis heritage and student opportunities
Both organizations say they have supported NASA’s Artemis program, most recently the Artemis II mission. The partnership also has an education side. It will create more opportunities for student involvement and workforce development through KSAT’s internship programs, aimed at preparing engineers and space professionals for the growing space sector.
Why lunar communications networks matter now
Both partners point to rising demand for deep space and lunar mission support. As more government and commercial missions head toward the Moon, ground networks become a bottleneck if they cannot scale. Partnerships like this one let a commercial operator add capacity by drawing on existing university infrastructure rather than building every antenna from scratch.
The announcement did not disclose financial terms or a date for when the MSU antennas will begin operating as part of the KSAT Lunar Network.
As a writer, I find it notable that a university in Appalachian Kentucky now forms part of the ground infrastructure for Moon missions. For more on lunar exploration, see our stories on NASA’s SR-1 Freedom nuclear power module and NASA tracking a Falcon 9 stage’s Moon impact.
FAQ
What did KSAT and Morehead State University announce?
A strategic partnership that adds MSU’s 21-meter and 12-meter-class antennas in Morehead, Kentucky, to the KSAT Lunar Network for deep space and lunar mission support.
Why does the partnership matter for lunar communications?
It adds network capacity and resiliency over the Eastern United States, helping mission operators keep reliable links with spacecraft beyond Earth orbit.
Does the deal include student programs?
Yes. It will create more opportunities for student involvement and workforce development through KSAT’s internship programs.
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