The European Space Agency (ESA) is expanding its Estrack satellite tracking network with a new 35 m deep-space antenna at New Norcia, Australia. The addition—Estrack’s fourth dish of this class—targets rising command, telemetry and science data demands from current and upcoming European missions across Earth orbit, Lagrange points and deep-space destinations. The milestone coincides with Estrack’s 50th anniversary, underscoring the network’s role as a core communications bridge between spacecraft and ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany. Source: ESA.
Why it matters
- Capacity boost: The additional 35 m antenna increases downlink throughput for science data and uplink availability for time-critical commands.
- Scheduling flexibility: More dish time reduces bottlenecks during busy mission phases, enabling better support for simultaneous spacecraft.
- Resilience and redundancy: Co-locating a second deep-space antenna at New Norcia enhances operational robustness during maintenance or high-demand periods.
- Scalability for future missions: The upgrade positions ESA to serve more complex trajectories and longer-distance operations.
Estrack at 50: a strategic European asset
Established in 1975, Estrack has grown into a network of six stations across six countries, providing global coverage for mission operations. The network connects spacecraft with ESOC for real-time tracking, telemetry and telecommand, supporting a diverse portfolio that spans Earth-orbiting satellites, comet and asteroid explorers, missions stationed at Sun–Earth Lagrange points, and probes traveling deep into the Solar System. Estrack also tracks European launchers during ascent, maintaining situational awareness from liftoff through orbital insertion.
- Continuous visibility for spacecraft across multiple longitudes and hemispheres
- High-precision tracking to enable navigation and timing
- Science data relay to European science teams and archives
New Norcia’s expanded role
The new antenna will join the existing New Norcia dish to strengthen deep-space coverage in the Southern Hemisphere. Consolidating two large apertures at one site improves resource allocation and enables tighter coordination for mission-critical passes, especially during planetary encounters, commissioning, and anomaly resolution.
- Coordinated operations from ESOC to optimize pass planning and data return
- Improved link margins for long-range spacecraft and high-rate downlinks
- Added flexibility during launch and early orbit phases for European vehicles
With demand for ground segment services rising, the antenna expansion is a practical step to sustain European mission cadence and scientific return while reinforcing long-term operational resilience.
For more details and related media from ESA, visit the source: Tracking satellites at the speed of light.
