Surrey Satellites Wins £22million Deal
UK MoD has launched its MINERVA space-based ISTAR programme with an initial contract worth £22million ($29million) awarded to Guildford-based Surrey Satellites Technology Ltd.
The deal will see SSTL build a “washing-machine-sized” 150kg spacecraft, which will help provide “a robust understanding and analysis of the integration activities, test environments and interfaces required to establish and maintain UK MoD rights to freely operate a space-based Intelligence Surveillance and Recognisance (ISR) capability,” according to the company. MoD said the spacecraft represents “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.” The mission will be managed by Space Command, which has recently marked its first anniversary.
The work is the first to be contracted under the MINERVA programme, which was announced in the Defence Space Strategy published earlier this year. MINERVA has a budget of £127million and, according to the MoD, its “findings will underpin the £970million ISTARI programme which will deliver a multi-satellite constellation to support greater global surveillance and intelligence for military operations over the next 10 years.”
The MoD describes the spacecraft as “the first in a network of new satellites.” It will be based on SSTL’s extant Carbonite+ platform: the Carbonite 1 and 2 spacecraft were launched in 2015 and 2018 respectively, and were company-developed technology demonstrators, designed to provide video from orbit.
“The MINERVA programme provides the route to use space to be fully interoperable and able to share data with our close allies,” Defence Procurement Minister Jeremy Quin said. “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.”
“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,” stated Phil Brownnett, SSTL Managing Director. “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 Project TYCHE Programme.”
