SA signed an agreement with Nasa last week to host one of the US space agency’s antenna in the Karoo, a significant step in its collaboration with the agency.
The antenna will be installed at the $178m deep space complex where the SA National Space Agency (Sansa) is preparing a site, coded MTJ, on a farm outside Matjiesfontein in the Western Cape. This addition is aimed at enhancing the monitoring, guiding and communication for space missions, starting with Nasa’s Artemis crewed, moon-landing programme.
“The MTJ ground station was launched in anticipation of hosting a Nasa facility for the Artemis programme,” said Eugene Avenant, chief engineer and acting executive director at Sansa Space Operations. “The agreement affirms this. That we will be part of Nasa’s efforts to take humans back to the moon while preparing for life on Mars is an achievement that will be keeping us on our toes for the next two years as we prepare the facility.”
Avenant told Business Day that the US would provide training to an SA team on how to operate the antenna, which would function as as one of three Lunar Exporation Ground Sites (Legs). Other sites are located in the US and Australia. Their role will be crucial for the upcoming first crewed moon-landing since 1972, which is scheduled for September 2026, as well as subsequent missions to establish the first lunar base.
The MTJ ground station is funded by the department of science and innovation, but Nasa’s expenditure on the antenna has not yet been disclosed. The site design is being finalised, with construction slated to be complete by the third quarter of 2026.
The facility will be commanded by the Sansa team at the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory west of Pretoria that assisted Nasa with its historic first moon landing on July 20 1969.
Kevin Coggins, Nasa deputy associate administrator for space communications and navigation, said: “Nasa is evolving its networks to meet the needs of Artemis and our international partners are key to this effort. We are thrilled to be working with Sansa and look forward to the MTJ Legs site having a long-term role in humanity’s return to the moon.”
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