The first in a network of new satellites to support military
operations will be designed and built under a new three-year, £22
million contract with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL).
Helping to improve the UK’s ability to collect and process data
from UK and allied space assets, the washing-machine-sized
satellite is the first to be designed and built under MINERVA - a
£127 million science, technology and innovation programme
focussed on integrating space with land, air, sea and cyber
technologies.
Supporting 100 high-skilled roles at the Guildford-based company,
the contract covers the design and build of the 150-kilogram
satellite. It is the critical first step in identifying the
processing power, radio frequencies and imagery capabilities UK
Space Command requires to provide timely space-based intelligence
in support of UK Armed Forces.
Defence Procurement Minister said:
The MINERVA programme provides the route to use space to be fully
interoperable and able to share data with our close allies.
This is the crucial first step in delivering this capability and
I’m delighted that we’re working together with UK companies to
remain at the forefront of innovation in space.
Outlined in the Defence Space
Strategy published earlier this year, the MINERVA
programme’s findings will underpin the £970 million ISTARI
programme which will deliver a multi-satellite constellation to
support greater global surveillance and intelligence for military
operations over the next 10 years.
Forming the building blocks of the UK’s Defence Space
intelligence, MINERVA will also enable better understanding of
the necessary security and risk requirements to inform the wider
ISTARI programme.
Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) CEO Sir said:
I’m delighted the Space delivery team at DE&S have
demonstrated a speed and agility that has allowed them to place
this contract in response to the Defence priorities highlighted
in the Integrated Review and recently-published Defence Space
Strategy.
This first contract comes as UK Space
Command celebrates its one-year anniversary and takes
control of the MINERVA project delivery, ensuring the UK
continues to push the frontiers of space innovation.
SSTL Managing Director Phil Brownnett said:
We are delighted that Space Command has signed with SSTL for a
Carbonite+ satellite, and we are looking forward to working
together on this pivotal mission for the UK.
We have established an excellent relationship with Space Command
and by working closely together we have evolved and enhanced our
Carbonite+ spacecraft design for the programme.
The recently released Defence Space Strategy outlines how Defence
will protect the UK’s national interests in space in an era of
ever-growing threats, stimulating growth across the sector and
supporting highly skilled jobs across the UK.
