A new satellite that will provide UK armed forces with access to the latest space technology for military operations will be designed and built in the UK.
Named Juno, the £40m satellite will be delivered by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd in Guildford, as part of a project announced by the MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) that will support around 200 skilled jobs, boosting the UK’s space sector and helping to grow the economy.
Juno will be able to capture daytime images of the Earth’s surface, strengthening the UK’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. Expected to launch in 2027, Juno will have advanced imagery sensors, building on the capabilities of Tyche, UK Space Command’s first satellite which successfully launched in August this year.
Both satellites form part of the Ministry of Defence’s space-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance programme, which will deliver a constellation of satellites and supporting ground systems by 2031.
These satellites will support military operations, for instance by monitoring adversary activities, and also contribute to other government tasks, including natural disaster monitoring, the development of mapping information, environmental monitoring and tracking the impact of climate change around the world.
Commenting on the news, Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle, said: “The contract for Juno shows the UK’s commitment to grow one of the most innovative and attractive space economies in the world and keep our competitive edge in space science and technology.
“Juno will not only support Armed Forces personnel deployed globally, but also support highly skilled jobs, delivering on the government’s growth mission.”
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