The United Kingdom has committed £5.15 million (approximately $6.9 million) to enhance its space-based weather monitoring capabilities, a critical step in strengthening national defense. The initiative aims to safeguard vital space infrastructure by collecting precise data on the ionosphere, ensuring robust protection for military and communication systems.
New Satellites to Replace Lost Capabilities
Led by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), the project will deploy a next-generation orbital satellite to succeed the Prometheus-2 and CIRCE payloads, which were lost in a 2023 incident. The Dstl has partnered with UK-based firms Open Cosmos, tasked with designing and manufacturing twin cubesats, and Astroscale UK, responsible for their launch into orbit.
These near-identical satellites will operate in a low-Earth, sun-synchronous orbit, flying in formation to conduct surface observations and gather data using both local and remote sensing technologies. The Dstl will oversee the project through 2028, managing its full lifecycle from development to decommissioning.
Open Cosmos Hails Collaborative Innovation
Rafel Jordà Siquier, CEO of Open Cosmos, stated, “Our state-of-the-art satellite systems will deliver critical insights into the ionosphere, protecting essential space assets. The Orpheus mission showcases the strength of collaborative innovation in advancing defense technology.”
Orpheus Mission: A Global Partnership
Dubbed “Orpheus” by the UK Ministry of Defence, the mission integrates space domain awareness solutions from allied nations. The primary payload, a Hyperspectral Imaging system developed by South Africa’s Dragonfly Aerospace and Defence Research and Development Canada, will enable precise target tracking through spectral signature analysis.
Additional payloads include the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s Triple Tiny Ionospheric Photometers, which monitor ultraviolet wavelengths on Earth’s dark side from multiple angles, and the Wind Ion Neutral Composition Suite, designed to measure ion and neutral particle properties such as density, temperature, and winds.
UK contributions include the University of Bath’s TOPside Ionosphere Computer Assisted Tomography system, which analyzes GPS signal electron content, and Surrey Satellite Technology’s Radiation Monitor for detecting and tracking particles.
Strategic Importance Underscored
Dr. Paul Hollinshead, Dstl’s Chief Executive, emphasized, “Space weather fluctuations can significantly disrupt satellites critical for navigation, telecommunications, and data transfer. Through sustained investment and collaboration with our international partners, we are fortifying the UK’s strategic interests in space.”
A Leap Forward in Space Defense
The Orpheus mission marks a pivotal advancement in the UK’s space-based defense capabilities. By leveraging compact yet powerful cubesat technology, the project will provide unparalleled data to protect against space weather disruptions. Strengthened by international partnerships, this initiative underscores the UK’s leadership in innovative defense solutions, ensuring the security of its space assets in an increasingly contested domain.
