South Korean Contec joins National Space Centre to restore Cork’s ‘Big Dish’.
The National Space Centre in Cork has signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea’s Contec Space Group to refurbish and reactivate the 32-metre satellite dish at Elfordstown Earthstation, known locally as “The Big Dish.”
The agreement was announced at Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen and marks a significant step toward bringing the landmark antenna back into service.
“Our goal is to bring The Big Dish back into service to support international science and space collaborations”
Originally commissioned in 1984 by Eutelsat and Telecom Éireann, the dish played a key role in transatlantic communications before being decommissioned in the 1990s following the rise of fibre-optic cables.
European space heritage
Rory Fitzpatrick, chief executive of the National Space Centre, said the restoration project is about preserving European space heritage while meeting modern scientific needs.
“This big dish in Midleton has been idle since 1997,” Fitzpatrick explained. “In 2024, we launched the Save the Big Dish campaign to halt its degradation. Now, this partnership with Contec lays the foundation for its return to operation.
“Our goal is to bring The Big Dish back into service to support international science and space collaborations, and Contec’s expertise will be invaluable.”
Large satellite dishes of this class are increasingly being repurposed for deep-space tracking, radio astronomy and advanced communications. Fewer than 100 remain worldwide, with fewer than 30 in active use, according to industry estimates.
Contec Space Group, based in South Korea, is a global provider of advanced space communication systems, specialising in mission support and deep-space tracking. The company will provide consultancy and technical guidance throughout the restoration process.
The National Space Centre operates from Elfordstown Earthstation and already hosts a global ground station for Contec in Cork.
Top image: Dr Sunghee Lee, CEO of Contec, with Rory Fitzpatrick, CEO National Space Centre, and Maeve Collins, Ireland’s Ambassador to Germany at Space Tech Expo Europe 2025 in Bremen
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