The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded Airbus a significant contract to design and build two advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites, named Oberon, marking a crucial step in the nation’s pursuit of enhanced space-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The Oberon system, slated for launch in 2027, promises to deliver day-and-night, all-weather surveillance capabilities.
Image: Airbus
The Oberon satellites are not your run-of-the-mill observation platforms. They will incorporate active, ultra-high-resolution SAR technology, a considerable leap forward that provides the U.K. MOD with greater operational capabilities and enhanced autonomy in space surveillance. These satellites will provide imagery of the Earth’s surface regardless of weather conditions or time of day, ensuring a constant stream of information. Weighing in at 400kg, the satellites integrate cutting-edge technologies developed in collaboration with British Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). Notably, Oxford Space Systems will be providing the antennas, which are based on a clever ‘wrapped rib’ design using carbon fibre structures that can compactly stow for launch and then spring into shape in orbit.
Speaking on the award, Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry Maria Eagle emphasized the U.K.’s dedication to expanding the space economy and retaining a competitive edge in space technology. The contract, valued at £127 million, not only boosts the U.K.’s space sector but is also expected to create around 200 skilled jobs in Stevenage and Portsmouth, aligning with the government’s growth mission. Paul Russell, Space team leader at the MoD’s procurement department, Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), highlighted the collaborative effort behind the project, noting the involvement of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and Space Command. He described the Oberon contract as a “game-changing capability” for UK Space Command and expects it to contribute significantly to the UK’s information and decision superiority.
Airbus, the recipient of the Oberon contract, brings more than 45 years of experience in designing and building high-resolution radar satellites. Ben Bridge, Chairman of Airbus Defence and Space UK, emphasized that these satellites will play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the UK Armed Forces. The satellites will be designed, built, and tested at Airbus facilities in Stevenage and Portsmouth, while the ground segment and geospatial intelligence capabilities will be developed at their facilities in Guildford, Newcastle, Newport, and Chippenham. As the UK’s largest space company, Airbus is contributing significantly to the National Space Strategy, with the Oberon project serving as a key piece of this effort.
The implications of the Oberon system are far-reaching. It will enhance military operations by monitoring adversary activities. Furthermore, it will support other governmental tasks such as natural disaster monitoring, the development of mapping information, and tracking the effects of climate change. The technology will also help the UK government better manage its assets, monitor borders, and better understand how environmental changes are impacting the world. Space-based ISR provides unprecedented earth observation capabilities, using constellations of ISR satellites which can be quickly redirected to different areas of the world. The project will secure crucial U.K. skills in the rapidly growing global space sector, with the aerospace sector contributing almost £40 billion to the economy last year. The Oberon project will inform the procurement strategy for future space capability requirements.
This announcement comes on the heels of the successful launch of U.K. Space Command’s first satellite, Tyche, in August of the previous year. Tyche has demonstrated its ability to capture images from anywhere on Earth, including locations like Heathrow Airport, Sydney, Washington DC, and the California wildfires. Oberon is intended to complement and enhance these existing capabilities.
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