NASA's LEGS Expansion: South Africa's Matjiesfontein to Host Critical Artemis Mission Antenna

In an ambitious move to reinforce communication for lunar missions, NASA has confirmed the installation of the second of three new Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) antennas. The location in question is Matjiesfontein, South Africa, bringing with it a vital contribution to the success of the Artemis campaign.

NASA's Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program, responsible for managing the Deep Space Network and the Near Space Network, will integrate these new antennas to serve the Moon to Mars initiative. NASA is setting the stage for sustained human presence on the Moon, and robust communication systems are foundational to that goal.

The LEGS are going to play a vital role in NASA's lunar endeavors, directly supporting later Artemis missions including the human landing system, lunar terrain vehicle, and Gateway. The new LEGS-2 antenna in South Africa, working alongside the already established LEGS-1 at NASA's White Sands Complex and a proposed LEGS-3 in Western Australia, will guarantee that the Moon remains in constant sight of at least one station, offering continuous coverage.

LEGS project manager at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, TJ Crooks, highlighted the strategy to offload tasks from the Deep Space Network to the Near Space Network, with LEGS being a game-changer. This allows the Deep Space Network to remain focused on other ambitious missions, like the James Webb Space Telescope and the Voyager missions, while LEGS takes on the Moon-focused missions.

Each of these antennas, with a 66-foot diameter, is a beacon of technological prowess. With the dual-band approach, each antenna will facilitate communication using X-band and Ka-band frequencies, catering to varied mission data requirements. An anticipated upgrade to a tri-band approach will further enhance their capability, making high-resolution science data transmission more seamless.

NASA’s selection of Matjiesfontein pays homage to South African contributions to space exploration, recalling a time when a ground tracking station outside Johannesburg supported the historic Apollo missions. Now, with LEGS-2, NASA extends that legacy, aiming for readiness in 2026.

Through collaborative partnerships, like the one with the South African National Space Gency (SANSA), and the ongoing efforts at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, the LEGS infrastructure will empower Artemis missions and solidify the essential communications link between Earth and lunar operations.