UK Invests £40M in Advanced Satellite to Boost Military Space Capabilities

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is set to bolster its military capabilities with the latest space technology. A new £40 million deal with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) will see the development of a state-of-the-art satellite named Juno.

Scheduled for launch in 2027, Juno will provide high-resolution daytime imagery of the Earth's surface, significantly enhancing the UK's Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. This advanced satellite will build on the success of Tyche, the UK Space Command's first satellite launched in August 2023.

The Juno satellite will not only support military operations, such as monitoring adversary activities, but will also contribute to a wide range of civilian applications. These include natural disaster monitoring, mapping, environmental monitoring, and tracking the impact of climate change.

"With Tyche in space, and Juno now on contract, UK Space Command’s ISTARI program is making great strides, showcasing innovation and collaboration across government and industry," said Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton said. "With these Earth Observation satellites on orbit, UK Space Command and defence will be better equipped to conduct all-domain military operations and deliver assured space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance to the joint force and our allies."

Juno and Tyche are part of the MoD's ambitious space-based ISR program known as ISTARI. The UK Ministry of Defence is investing GBP968 million in the next-generation ISTARI program, a multi-satellite system designed to enhance global surveillance and intelligence capabilities. This ambitious project will create a constellation of satellites capable of providing real-time, high-resolution imagery and data. By 2031, the UK aims to have a constellation of satellites and ground systems in orbit, providing a powerful tool for national security and global monitoring.

The contract for Juno was awarded via competitive procurement to SSTL, the same company that manufactured Tyche.