The Spacecraft Will Also Have The Ability To Collect Radio Frequency (RF) Signals.

Airbus has 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 innovative techniques and technologies developed within the project will allow the ground to be seen in outstanding detail regardless of darkness, or of cloudy weather conditions.

"Project Oberon builds on Airbus’ expertise in space radar technology developed over 40 years," said Colin Paynter, Managing Director of Airbus Defense and Space U.K. "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.”

"This addition to our capability is a valuable part of the future of Defense Space. Partnership between Dstl and Airbus on this project secures U.K. jobs as well as continuing to exploit advances in the U.K. space sector,” said Gary Aitkenhead, Chief Executive of Dstl.

Oberon follows the success of the SAR satellite, NovaSAR, designed and developed by Airbus and SSTL, which was launched in September 2018. Since NovaSAR was conceived, Dstl and Airbus have made significant leaps in technology, allowing the Oberon system to achieve high performance from a small and compact satellite system.

(Image provided with Airbus news release)

FMI: www.airbus.com