A "much needed" satellite system that will help Britain's military with space surveillance is to be built in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ.
Aerospace giant Airbus was awarded the MoD contract for the day-and-night, all-weather system, which will be known as Oberon.
The high-tech system is expected to launch in 2027 and will be designed, built and tested at Airbus’ space facilities in Stevenage, in Hertfordshire, and Portsmouth. Parts will also be developed at Airbus sites in Guildford, Newcastle, Newport and Chippenham.
The antennas for the spacecraft will be supplied by Didcot-based Oxford Space Systems, which has developed carbon fibre structures that stow away in very small volumes for launch but deploy into shape once in orbit.
Ben Bridge, Airbus defence and space º£½ÇÊÓƵ chairman, said: “Oberon’s satellites will give the º£½ÇÊÓƵ a much-needed sovereign capability and greatly enhance its space surveillance and intelligence autonomy.
"Airbus in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ has more than 45 years’ experience in the design and build of high-resolution radar satellites and, once in orbit, these spacecraft will play a vital role in keeping our Armed Forces safe around the world.â€
According to Airbus, the contract could support some 200 jobs. The system will reportedly cost £127m to build.
Defence, procurement and industry minister Maria Eagle said the deal would keep Britain's "competitive edge" in space science and technology.
“Oberon will not only support Armed Forces personnel deployed globally, but also support highly skilled jobs, delivering on the government’s growth mission," she said.
Paul Russell, space team leader at the MoD’s procurement department, Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), which is based near Bristol, added: “With the award of the Oberon contract, we will deliver the next in a series of game-changing capabilities to º£½ÇÊÓƵ Space Command, providing the º£½ÇÊÓƵ military with leading space-based Synthetic Aperture Radar, whilst helping to keep our nation safe and prosperous."
