GCHQ Bude facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids GCHQ Bude, also known as GCHQ Composite Signals Organisation Station Morwenstow
Part of Government Communications Headquarters
Located near Coombe, Bude, Cornwall in United Kingdom
Part of the satellite dish array of GCHQ Bude
GCHQ Bude
Coordinates	50°53′10″N 4°33′13″W / 50.8862°N 4.5537°W / 50.8862; -4.5537
Grid reference	SS 2046 1246
Type	UK Government satellite ground station and eavesdropping centre
Site information
Owner	Government of the United Kingdom
Operator	GCHQ
Condition	Active
Site history
Built	1969–2001
In use	1974–present

GCHQ Bude is a special station in Cornwall, UK. It is also known as GCHQ Composite Signals Organisation Station Morwenstow. This station helps the UK government listen to communications from satellites and undersea cables. It is run by the Government Communications Headquarters, which is the UK's intelligence and security agency. The station is built on what used to be a World War II airfield called RAF Cleave.

History of GCHQ Bude
Satellite Equipment at GCHQ Bude
What GCHQ Bude Does
GCHQ Bude in the News
Undersea Cables Near Bude
See also

History of GCHQ Bude

The GCHQ Bude site is in Morwenstow, a village in northern Cornwall. During World War II, the Royal Air Force (RAF) used this area. It was known as RAF Cleave. The airfield helped support firing ranges along the coast. In 1939, it became home to some RAF units. Even after the war, the government kept ownership of the land.

Old gun emplacement with GCHQ Bude dishes behind

How Satellite Interception Started

In the early 1960s, new technology led to the creation of GCHQ Bude. In 1962, a station was set up at Goonhilly Downs to receive signals from commercial communication satellites. These were called Intelsat satellites.

It was easy to pick up signals from these satellites if you had receiver dishes nearby. So, in 1967, the land at Cleave was given to the government. Construction of the satellite listening station began in 1969. Two very large dishes, about 90 feet (27 meters) wide, were built first. More smaller dishes appeared later. The station was first called 'CSOS Morwenstow'. In 2001, a third large dish was added, and it became known as 'GCHQ Bude'.

Working with the USA

From the very beginning, GCHQ Bude has been a joint project between the UK and the USA. The United States National Security Agency (NSA) paid for most of the buildings and technology. GCHQ paid for the daily running costs, like staff salaries. All the information collected by the Bude station was shared and processed together by both the NSA and GCHQ.

This close teamwork was clear when a GCHQ director suggested naming the two large dishes 'Pat' and 'Louis'. These names were for the NSA director and his deputy. In 2010, the NSA even paid GCHQ £15.5 million for updates at the site.

Listening to Undersea Cables

In 1963, an undersea cable called TAT-3 was laid. It connected the UK to the USA. This cable came ashore at Widemouth Bay, which is only about 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of Cleave Camp. The British Post Office used to monitor all communications on the TAT-3 cable. They would send important messages to security services.

The Cleave Camp site was perfect for listening to both undersea cable traffic and satellite communications. Today, the Grace Hopper is a private undersea cable funded by Google. It connects New York with Bude. Bude was chosen because it has a "nicely protected beach" and is close to other important land equipment.

Satellite Equipment at GCHQ Bude

The different types of satellite receivers at GCHQ Bude. Some are open parabolic antennas, and others are hidden inside a radome (a dome that protects the antenna).

GCHQ Bude has 21 satellite antennas of different sizes. Three of these are very large, about 30 meters (98 feet) across. These dishes can pick up signals from many different frequency bands. They are usually pointed towards satellites over the Atlantic Ocean, Africa, the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, and Europe. These satellites are part of networks like INTELSAT, Intersputnik, and INMARSAT.

Between 2011 and 2013, a special 'torus antenna' was added. This antenna can receive signals from up to 35 satellites at the same time. It is not covered by a protective dome.

Staff from both GCHQ (UK) and the NSA (US) work at the station. They operate under the UKUSA Agreement. This agreement helps them gather data for the ECHELON signals intelligence network. Other similar stations around the world include RAF Menwith Hill in the UK and Pine Gap in Australia. These stations cover other parts of the world, like South America and the Pacific Ocean.

What GCHQ Bude Does

The activities at GCHQ Bude are usually kept secret. This is partly because some countries worried that the station was involved in industrial espionage (spying on businesses) and listening to regular people's communications. A report from the European Parliament in 2001 gave some details about the station.

The Intelligence Services Act 1994 allows GCHQ to monitor and interfere with electronic signals. This includes things like messages and audio.

Since 2007, GCHQ Bude has been a 'protected site'. This means it is a specific crime for someone to trespass (enter without permission) onto the site.

GCHQ's website used to have a page about working at GCHQ Bude. It said that digital communications experts work there. They help the UK government deal with national security, military operations, and serious crime. The website also mentioned that the site is next to a coastal walking path. People applying for jobs are told they will need a high-level security check.

As of 2016, the GCHQ website has a 'Life at GCHQ' page. The 'Bude' section describes what it's like to work there. It mentions a gym and a restaurant with a "sea view." It also talks about social events and outdoor sports for employees.

GCHQ Bude in the News

Edward Snowden's Revelations

In June 2013, The Guardian newspaper shared documents leaked by Edward Snowden, a former NSA worker. These documents revealed an operation called Tempora. This operation allowed GCHQ to tap into data flowing through undersea cables. They could store this data for up to 30 days to analyze it. The article said that by mid-2011, a three-year trial at GCHQ Bude was looking at over 200 internet connections.

Another report in December 2013 said that GCHQ Bude was involved in listening to charities, German government buildings, and other important people.

GCHQ Bude was shown on the BBC Two Horizon TV show in September 2014. The show, called 'Inside the Dark Web', said that about 25% of all internet traffic goes through Cornwall. Experts explained how GCHQ can get copies of data from undersea cables. This data then goes to GCHQ, while the original data continues its journey. The show claimed that GCHQ can access almost anything that comes across the internet, like emails, websites, and videos.

In November 2014, Channel 4 News reported that a UK communications company worked with GCHQ. This allowed GCHQ to access data, including data from a rival Indian company. The report detailed an operation where data from fibre-optic cables went to a station at Skewjack Farm and then to GCHQ Bude.

Royal Visit to the Station

On April 4, 2016, The Princess Royal made the first Royal visit to GCHQ Bude Station. She arrived by helicopter and was welcomed by the head of the station. The Princess took a short tour and met many staff members. She learned about some of the activities carried out at Bude.

CyberFirst Recruitment Scheme

In July 2016, GCHQ started its CyberFirst scheme. This program offers money to students studying science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects. After they graduate, they are guaranteed jobs at GCHQ, including at GCHQ Bude.

Pride GCHQ: Rainbow Lights

On May 17, 2016, the satellite dishes at GCHQ Bude Station were lit up with rainbow colors. This was to celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBiT). This public display showed GCHQ's support for diversity and pride in its staff. A similar rainbow display happened at the GCHQ Cheltenham site the year before.

Facing east, sunrise at GCHQ Bude

Undersea Cables Near Bude

About 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of GCHQ Bude, at Widemouth Bay, many undersea cables come ashore. These cables connect the UK to places like the US, Canada, Europe, India, and West Africa. Crooklets Beach at Bude, about 5 kilometers (3 miles) south of GCHQ Bude, is another important cable landing point. It carries important financial trading data from New York.