Airbus to Develop Technology for UK SAR Satellites

Artistic impression of an Oberon project spacecraft cluster. Photo: AIrbus

Airbus won a design study from the U.K.’s Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) to develop the technologies for a cluster of ultra-high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites for the U.K. Ministry of Defense (MOD). The satellites will also have the ability to collect Radio Frequency (RF) signals.

Called “Oberon,” the project will see Airbus develop the technologies that could lead to an in-orbit demonstration in 2022 and potentially an operational capability as early as 2025. The technologies developed within the project aim to allow the ground to be seen in outstanding detail regardless of darkness, or of cloudy weather conditions.

Colin Paynter, Managing Director of Airbus Defence and Space UK said: “Project Oberon builds on Airbus’ expertise in space radar technology developed over 40 years. I look forward to seeing this study leading to a new world-class surveillance capability for the U.K. MOD, helping to protect our armed forces across the world.”