To be launched in 2023 and approximately the size of a
washing machine, the satellite will support the ‘Titania
Operational Concept Demonstrator’ which is exploring the
military utility of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) direct-to-earth
free-space optical communications (FSOC).
As modern battlespace technology requires increasingly high
bandwidth, FSOC has the potential to transform military
communications with its ability to transfer large volumes
of data, with a low risk of detection or interception.
The technology works by transmitting the data at high
speeds via narrow laser beam between two very specific
points. In this case Titania will communicate with ‘Puck’,
Dstl’s new Optical Ground Station – carrying on the
tradition of the UK naming space projects and satellites
after Shakespearian characters.
Dstl’s space programme manager, Dr Mike O’Callaghan said:
The Titania space mission will accelerate the development
and adoption of space-based optical communications,
allowing our Armed Forces the ability to operate in an
increasingly contested environment.
The Titania satellite will support the UK space sector
and provide a solid foundation on which to conduct
experimentation into FSOC and allow the science to be
developed. We are delighted to be working with In-Space
Missions on this highly innovative project.
With transfer speeds of multi-Gigabytes per second, the
increased rate of data transfer provided by FSOC will
enable faster military decision making, and when launched,
Titania will focus on demonstrating the rapid transfer of
Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance data.
This world-leading science will inform choices for military
space capabilities and could be utilised for future
military satellite communications, potentially providing
high speed connectivity to link air, land and maritime
platforms.
The satellite will be built in the UK by Hampshire-based
In-Space Missions, with the contract directly supporting 20
jobs at the company and in the UK supply chain. Forming an
important part of developing the MOD’s space capability,
the contract follows the recent launch of UK Space Command
at RAF High Wycombe, which saw the headquarters of Defence
space capabilities and operations officially ‘stood up’.
Commander of UK Space Command, Air Vice Marshal Paul
Godfrey said:
Following our stand-up as a Joint Command, the Titania
satellite contract is the next exciting step for the UK
in space.
It’s a brilliant example of the partnerships being
developed and enhanced across the UK space enterprise,
developing capabilities that not only enable military
operations, but underpin countless activities essential
to our way of life and the safety of our nation.
Supported by the £24 billion uplift announced by the Prime
Minister last year, the programme reaffirms commitments
outlined in the Defence Command Paper with a focus on
developing space capabilities and operating in this domain.
The construction of the Titania satellite is part of the
MOD’s investment of over £1.4 billion into next-generation
technology in the Defence Space Portfolio across the next
10 years.
The contract to build the satellite has been awarded
through the Serapis Lot 2 commercial framework, run by Dstl
in collaboration with BAE Systems. The framework aims to
reach non-traditional defence suppliers, small and
medium-sized enterprises, and academia to develop new
capabilities with the space domain.
