The development of a new generation of pioneering British
deployable satellite antennas has been boosted following a £1m
MOD investment.
The wrapped rib antenna is lighter, less complex and more
cost-competitive than those currently available commercially. The
antenna will be exclusively developed in the UK by Oxford Space
Systems (OSS). It will make the UK the first European country
with the capability of a flight-proven parabolic deployable
antenna.
The lighter weight of the ‘wrapped-rib’ antenna means it can be
transported to space more efficiently at less expense. This is
critical in an industry where launch costs are high. The MOD
funding will assist OSS to increase the antenna’s size and its
performance to meet the needs of defence.
Defence Secretary said:
I have been clear that we need to accelerate the development of
new, innovative capabilities - especially those in the space
domain. It is vital that we have homegrown affordable
technologies like this pioneering deployable satellite antenna
to maintain a commanding military advantage over our
adversaries and competitors.
In collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology
Laboratory (Dstl) and the Defence Innovation Fund, this is the
largest contract placed with a first-time supplier by the Defence
and Security Accelerator (DASA).
The new antenna will be used to meet the needs of fine-resolution
Low Earth Orbit Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery. SAR
permits all weather Earth observation, irrespective of time of
day or night. This provides unique advantages for both civil and
defence applications. The technology will enable the UK to deploy
a number of antennas in space, providing more accurate and
frequent satellite images.
The technology consists of a specialist carbon-fibre composite
and utilises origami engineering techniques to create a unique,
compact, deployable antenna. This results in an antenna that is
compact and light weight when folded for easy portability and
deployability but can unfurl to several metres when in space,
just like a large pop-up umbrella.
OSS Senior Commercial Strategist, Shefali Sharma said:
This contract represents a considerable stamp of endorsement by
the UK Government for OSS on the global stage. The funding
allows us to create high value employment in the space sector
and grow our team of experts at our Harwell base. We can now
focus on maturing the ‘wrapped rib’ antenna toward on-orbit
demonstration. We view our antenna technology as a key enabler
for the next-generation of communications and SAR services from
orbit. The antenna is highly scalable and tunable and has been
specifically designed for volume production, targeting smallsat
constellations. As such, it’s suitable for a range of
commercial opportunities not only here in the UK, but globally
too. Our doors are open to international trade and we are
excited about where future partnerships will take us.
Head of DASA, Lucy Mason said:
Our work with OSS ticks all DASA’s objectives, not only did we
provide the initial stimulus to establish this partnership, but
it will also open up opportunities for truly cross government
collaboration, with the potential to meet the needs of both our
defence and security customers. Additionally, the project will
contribute to UK prosperity by creating jobs and increasing
export opportunities. This is exactly why DASA exists.
The move is just the latest defence involvement in the space
sector. The Defence Secretary has announced that he will launch a
dedicated Defence Space Strategy, whilst the department is also
supporting the UK Space Agency with work on a national
alternative to the EU’s Galileo satellite system. The RAF was
also involved in the launch and operation of the Carbonite-2
demonstrator satellite; now in orbit, the satellite offers
sovereign, full-motion colour video from space for the RAF for
the first time.
