A new ground station facility is taking shape in Mullewa, Australia, aimed at enhancing NASA’s upcoming lunar missions. Co-founded by aerospace engineer Angela Teale in 2022, Starsite Pty Ltd is constructing a 20.2 metre Lunar-class antenna. This significant project is designed to facilitate communications for astronauts during their lunar expeditions.
Ms. Teale, who has over 22 years of experience in aerospace engineering, reported that construction is well underway. “We’re building it right now; we’ve got a big hole in the ground, and the foundations have just started to pour,” she stated. The initiative has garnered attention in the local community, leading to Ms. Teale’s nomination for the esteemed AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award. The winner, to be announced in March, will receive a $15,000 bursary to support their project and professional development.
If awarded, Ms. Teale intends to invest the funds directly into Starsite’s business infrastructure. “It’s quite costly to do what we’re doing, and we’re doing it off our own backs,” she explained. Originally from Iowa, a well-known agricultural state in the United States, Ms. Teale pursued her studies in aerospace engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She relocated to Australia in 2015 and has made Geraldton her home since then.
Long-Term Vision for the Community
Ms. Teale envisions Starsite contributing to the region’s long-term sustainability. “We want to provide something long-term and sustainable; at a minimum, we’re looking at 10 to 20 years of operations,” she stated, highlighting the potential for job creation and economic growth. She also expressed hope that the facility would inspire a greater sense of scientific wonder among local residents. “It’ll be cool to see that antenna will be the thing that’s allowing astronauts to communicate with us on Earth,” she noted.
Starsite represents a culmination of a decade-long dream for Ms. Teale and her husband, Peter Teale. Peter’s background in oil and gas led him to seek a new path away from the FIFO (fly-in, fly-out) work model. “He was given the proverbial golden handshake, and we decided to put it all on the line for a ground station housing company,” she said.
In addition to their core operations, Starsite has also taken an active role in local education by sponsoring the Geraldton Primary School’s rocket program. “We asked the kids, ‘hey, if you’re going to support a NASA program, where do you think you’ll have to live?’ They all said, ‘America,’ and we said no, Geraldton,” Ms. Teale recounted. This initiative not only enhances educational opportunities for students but also fosters a community engaged in space exploration.
As construction of the Lunar-class antenna progresses, the project reflects a significant investment in both technology and community development. Starsite aims to establish a lasting presence in the region, paving the way for future advancements in space communication and exploration.
