The MOD in space: British plans for satellites

Air December 10, 2019

Space is becoming a bigger focus for the MOD and British industry in general. Modernisation means that satellites are a much bigger part of battlefield communications and surveillance. Innovations such as drones can be controlled through satellites and information from them can be communicated across a large area quickly.

The MOD is teaming up with industry to expand its satellite capabilities and launch the latest in the tech. Satellites can also play a role in humanitarian aid. Following natural disasters, they can be used to survey the damage and help rescue operations. Improved technology means satellites have a more important role to play in weather prediction and surveying geological conditions.

The MOD is working with Virgin to launch a small satellite demo project. The £30million satellite will be launched from a Virgin spacecraft. Virgin Orbit will perform the launch for the RAF, which will put satellites into orbit for surveillance. A rocket will launch from the wing of a Boeing 747 flown by an RAF pilot. This cuts down on infrastructure costs compared to standard rocket launches which require special capabilities. The Boeing 747 can be launched from a standard airfield. This launch method is not suitable for larger satellites but smaller models are being more frequently used as they are cost-effective.

The launch is part of an ongoing collaboration between the UK and the US. Through the project, the UK will launch a series of small satellites into low orbit to allow for live footage of space to be sent to Earth. The project will also include research into military use of small satellites. The equipment is being manufactured by British-based Surrey Satellite Technology, which manufactures 40% of the world’s small satellites.

The MOD’s partnership with Virgin Orbit will involve investment in facilities at a British Airport to support launches by the company. The MOD signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Surrey Sattelite Technology Limited (SSTL) to produce satellites. In 2018, the RAF announced their collaboration with SSTL to use footage from its CARBONITE-2 video from orbit technology demonstration satellite. The satellite will be used by the Joint Force Command National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence to demonstrate low-cost data usage.

A group of Skynet satellites provide secure communication for the MOD and allies. Recently, Airbus signed a contract to move one of the Skynet satellites to the Pacific as part of efforts to strengthen its relationship with Britain. The satellites will be used for military communications as well as humanitarian and peacekeeping work. The X-band satellites have been designed as small tactical terminals that need less power to run and are cost-effective. Each includes nuclear hardening with anti-jamming measures and laser protection, and flexible connectivity to allow for connections between any uplink beam and at least two downlink beams. Another satellite recently moved over Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

The government is currently in the process of awarding contracts for Skynet 6, the new satellite programme set to replace the ageing Skynet 5 constellation. The updated programme will potentially be able to allow for secure transmissions from ships at sea and provide communications to fighter pilots in real-time. The system will also be able to support land forces conducting missions in remote environments and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The MOD hosted a competition for the contract, which will also allow the successful bidder to negotiate MOD access to commercial satellites. The MOD says that Skynet 6 will provide a number of highly-skilled jobs for experts and they are aiming for an effective partnership that provides value for money.

Security for computer systems is becoming a bigger focus for the MOD and satellites present a target for hostile parties. Quantum communication is being researched for satellites as it is naturally secure. The maritime sector has been modernising through satellites, raising concern in the space industry that it could become a target for nefarious attacks. Automation and sensors on shipping containers present an opportunity for hackers, who can use satellites to sabotage shipments.

One security measure being explored is AI protection of computer systems. Researchers at University College London are learning how attackers can use AI to access both military and commercial data. AI security is also growing, with researchers saying that defence measures are overtaking the technology used by malicious groups. Quantum communication could prevent hackers from accessing, deleting, 0r altering data sent to the Earth from space. The British government recently intervened in a deal with satellite firm Inmarsat over security concerns.

The company was due to be bought by an international buyer based in the US. Its 13 satellites mostly provide communications for shipping and aerospace. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigated the purchase for any potential security risks. The bid was approved by Nicky Morgan MP following remedies suggested by Connect Bidco. Concerns were also raised that the deal could lessen competition but no major risk was found.

One problem facing satellites is the growing number of them in orbit. Debris floating in space and other satellites present the risk of collision. ‘Mega constellations’ of hundreds of satellites increase this risk. UK company OneWeb plans to launch 650 satellites into orbit in the future and SpaceX has ambitions for 2,000 in the outer atmosphere. There are no international rules currently to regulate how numerous satellites in orbit are controlled to avoid collisions. The UK Space Agency examines plans for satellite launches to reduce the risk. As satellites become a more integral part of military missions there are fears of hostile forces targeting them.

India recently tested anti-satellite technology by launching a missile which destroyed one of its own satellites to demonstrate their capability to protect space assets. India has reassured the international community that they do not intend to harm any other nation with this technology, but the possibility is concerning. Other countries have also been developing anti-satellite measures. It is possible that in the near future battles could take place between satellites in orbit. Concerns have also been raised over the negative environmental effect of satellite launches. Rocket launches produce a relatively small amount of carbon dioxide compared to other industrial practices, however, particles of materials such as soot are released into the atmosphere from the exhaust. Over time, these particles can cause damage to the ozone. As launches increase in frequency, more studies will be needed to determine the impact on the environment.

The UK recently announced a project with Australia to research the role satellites could play in disaster management, maritime data, mangrove mapping, and ocean monitoring. The UK Space Agency is seeking ideas that will deliver the aims of the project through UK aid and guidance from the Australian national science agency to find projects that will deliver help for developing Pacific states.

The project aims to monitor issues caused by climate change in small islands. Last year, the UK launched the NovaSAR-1 satellite which monitors small Pacific island states through cloud cover. UK organisations are also contributing to satellite programmes monitoring issues such as food security, disaster resilience, and deforestation in 44 countries funded by the Global Challenges Research Fund. The UK Space Agency also recently launched the Nuclear Decommissioning Space Data Challenge. The project is co-funded by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and is aimed at small businesses. The challenge seeks projects for asset management on nuclear decommissioning sites. The government is also looking at ways of transferring technology from the space sector to nuclear decommissioning. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority is seeking projects that can collect data for building site plan updates, identifying bulk containers, rooftop inspections, and on-site traffic management. The competition is looking for technology capable of transmitting high-quality imagery which will be made accessible through a secure FTP facility for the challenge.

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Australia Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Rocket satellite SSTL surveillance UK Space Agency