Overview

• In a ceremony on October 4 at New Norcia north of Perth, ESA formally commissioned the 35 m 'New Norcia 3' antenna, a project begun in 2021 and delivered on schedule ahead of operational service in 2026.
• During final calibration, the antenna successfully received its first signal from ESA’s Euclid spacecraft, confirming performance ahead of full activation.
• The system features cryogenically cooled receivers to about −263°C for extreme sensitivity, a 20 kW transmitter for long-range commanding, advanced timing systems, and AI to enhance signal extraction and pointing.
• Once operational, New Norcia will become ESA’s first ground station with two deep-space antennas, strengthening continuous coverage in concert with Estrack sites in Malargüe, Argentina, and Cebreros, Spain.
• ESA estimates construction at €62.3 million with a €3 million Australian Space Agency contribution, CSIRO will operate the station locally, European and Australian firms built the facility, and the antenna will support ESA flagship missions with cross-support available to NASA, JAXA, ISRO and commercial operators.