First UK satellite launch from West this summer
BRITAIN’S first ever satellite launch will take place this summer when the Ministry of Defence launches two tiny military satellites into orbit.
Defence Procurement Minister Jeremy Quin announced yesterday that the two shoebox-sized satellites would be launched from the new ‘Spaceport Cornwall’.
The site, based at Newquay Airport in Cornwall, is the home to ‘Virgin Orbit’ – a new rocket-launching service operated by Sir Richard Branson’s airline.
The two Prometheus-2 Cubesats were built by In-Space Missions Ltd, based in Hampshire, and Airbus as a collaboration between the UK MoD and international partners.
They will provide a test platform for monitoring radio signals, including GPS and sophisticated imaging, in order to further cooperate with the UK’s allies.
A statement from the Ministry of Defence said: “This space mission will allow MoD to better understand how the UK and its international partners can work together to create a more capable and flexible system at a lower cost than could be achieved alone,
“The technology on board the satellites will enable MoD to identify new techniques and algorithms for operating satellites and data processing.”
Defence Procurement Minister, Jeremy Quin, added: “Space technology is crucial for developing defence capabilities and the launch of Prometheus-2 represents another important step forward for our homegrown space programme.”
The mission will also aim to launch separate equipment onboard to test concepts for the UK’s future Minerva constellation network.
This £22 million planned network will be the basis of Britain’s future space based intelligence and surveillance structure in support of the UK Armed Forces.
Director space at MoD, Air Vice Marshal Harv Smyth said: “This is a great example of the power of international collaboration – a key tenet of our Defence Space Strategy.
“Prometheus 2 will deliver immense value to the UK MOD’s future space programme and, thanks to our partners in the National Reconnaissance Office, this highlycapable satellite will launch from UK soil this summer.
“I am hugely proud of what we have achieved together and this is just the beginning.”
This space mission will allow MoD to better understand how the UK and its international partners can work together MINISTRY OF DEFENCE