The new technology will help spot lasers that can “dazzle” and intercept satellites. 

The UK has announced it will develop sensors to protect satellites against attacks from lasers under a new project, a 3 October UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) announcement has revealed. 

Developed by the UK Space Command and the UK Space Agency (UKSA), this new sensor technology will be able to “determine the characteristics of lasers based in space or on the ground and whether they pose a threat to the satellite”, the MoD said. 

Lasers are often used to “dazzle” or blind satellites, intercept and interrupt communications, or track a satellite’s location, the MoD added, and this new technology will help identify these threats. 

The project is backed by GBP500,000 in funding allocated as part of the UKSA’s Unlocking Space for Government programme, an initiative which supports public sector organisations in adopting satellite-enabled technologies. 

DSEI Gateway also understands a company has been selected to support this project following their successful application to the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Innovate Campaign competition, launched in 2019. 

“Space is a hugely important and contested frontline and satellites play a vital role in UK prosperity and security. They are crucial to our everyday lives and provide a critical capability for our armed forces. It is essential they are protected”, the UK’s Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard, said. 

“Today’s announcement shows our commitment to defend British assets in orbit - which protect us on the ground, in the air and at sea”, he added. 

The UK has made other commitments to its space infrastructure in recent months, with plans unveiled in March for CGI UK to deliver a space domain awareness command and control system under a GBP65 million contract.  

The UK’s European neighbours have been making investments into space as well, with Germany announcing plans to invest EUR35 billion in bolstering its space capabilities by 2030.