With more deep-space missions, more international requests, new and more intense data streams, the demand for deep-space ground stations has never been higher. Yet the offer is reaching nearly full capacity. To give a breath of air to the three deep-space antennas in its global ground station network (Estrack), the European Space Agency started a vast upgrade of its stations, including the use of novel cryogenic technology.

In late July, the programme completed the cryogenic works on its Argentina-based Malargüe antenna, thus allowing the station to download up to 80% more science data from its increasingly complex science missions, with a boost of up to 60% for deep-space missions like Juice and BepiColombo.

The completion of the upgrade will alleviate operational capacity demands for ESA missions in the coming years, while also providing new capabilities for future missions.