The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) has signed an agreement with the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to establish a NASA antenna facility at the Matjiesfontein (MTJ) site, in the Western Cape, marking a major milestone in South Africa’s participation in international space programmes.

In an October 11 media release, SANSA says this historic partnership solidifies its inclusion in NASA’s global Lunar Exploration Ground Sites (LEGS) programme.

“The MTJ ground station was launched in anticipation of hosting a NASA facility for the Artemis programme. 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,” says SANSA Space Operations chief engineer and acting executive director Eugene Avenant.

“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,” adds NASA deputy associate administrator for Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Kevin Coggins.

SANSA says the signed agreement outlines the collaborative responsibilities for the funding, development, operation and maintenance of the NASA antenna facility at MTJ.

NASA views spacecraft tracking services from the southern hemisphere as a critical component of the Artemis programme.

In addition to offering conducive atmospheric conditions, SANSA says the MTJ site is ideally positioned to provide space vehicle tracking and communications links to the global space market.

Avenant notes that the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) continues to contribute to the project through technical and financial support for the construction of the facility.

Construction is progressing well with the site cleared and the access road being prepared for the security fence installation.

The site designs are being finalised with projected construction completion in the third quarter of 2026. 

“This strategic partnership between SANSA and NASA marks the next step in SANSA’s journey to position South Africa as a leader in the African space science and technology sector. It will create numerous opportunities for knowledge transfer, capacity building, and workforce development,” says SANSA.