Today, an ambitious Defense Science and Technology agenda was commissioned, backed by £2 billion in funding and included an exciting new satellite launch.
The Science & Technology Portfolio, which includes a series of ambitious programs aimed at moving forward cutting-edge research and developing new Defence capabilities, encourages industry engagement and input to address future Defense demands.
The Coordinated Ionospheric Reconstruction Cubesat Experiment (CIRCE) – a miniaturized space weather suite onboard two satellites – will be launched later this year in conjunction with the US Naval Research Laboratory and is one of the most groundbreaking projects in the new portfolio.
Three microscopic sensors will be attached to two cereal box-sized satellites for the CIRCE mission, which will launch later this year from Spaceport Cornwall in Newquay aboard Virgin Orbit’s Launcher One rocket.
University College London, the University of Bath, and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd created the small sensors for the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), with help from the University of Surrey. They’ll keep an eye on changes in the ionosphere, a layer of the Earth’s atmosphere roughly 80 to 1,000 kilometers above the surface where environmental changes can cause GPS, communications, and sensing devices to malfunction.
The small sensors could improve the ability to collect measurements in space and enhance space weather modeling skills, paving the door for comparable technology to be utilized on future satellite deployments. Our Armed Forces would benefit from this understanding in maintaining communication and intelligence capabilities on the front lines.
Minister for Defence Procurement, Jeremy Quin, said:
“Exploring and using space is crucial for developing cutting-edge Defence capabilities that will ensure our Armed Forces can operate at the highest level anywhere on the battlefield.
We are investing record amounts across our science and technology portfolio to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of innovation and sustains its strategic advantage over our adversaries.”
Air Vice-Marshal Paul Godfrey, Commander of UK Space Command, said:
“Defence science and technological activity in space has never been more important. Whether it is in support of military operations or helping to combat climate change, defence innovation is at the forefront of this work.
After it enters orbit from Spaceport Cornwall, CIRCE will enhance our understanding of space weather and help us to keep critical satellites safe from the many hazards associated with operating in space.”
The CIRCE mission is part of a larger Science & Technology Portfolio launched today, which aims to advance cutting-edge research and build new capabilities that are currently unavailable anyplace on the planet.
The MOD will collaborate with the best of British business and academia to develop new and exciting defence technologies, building on earlier projects such as testing autonomous systems and developing state-of-the-art capabilities for our F-35 fighter jets.
Between now and 2026, £2 billion will be invested in programs that will support the development of military capabilities for the next generation. The following are some of the portfolio’s key components for the future:
Plans to develop a new weapon demonstrator capable of operating up to hypersonic speeds to better equip our Armed Forces against future threats.
Expanded research into AI technologies, better understanding how they can benefit service personnel on the front line.
Investment to build defence capabilities in space, improving intelligence, communication, and surveillance.
Following the £24 billion increase in the defense budget proposed in the 2021 Defence Command Paper, the £2 billion is part of a £6.6 billion investment in research and development. The Science & Technologies portfolio, which was created to address the MOD’s capability demands, will guarantee that the UK Armed Forces have access to the latest and most cutting-edge technology.