Image source: UK Defence Journal
By George Allison,
Published by UK Defence Journal, 10 February 2025
The Ministry of Defence has awarded a £127 million contract to Airbus to design and build the Oberon satellite system, boosting the UK’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities while supporting around 200 skilled jobs in Stevenage and Portsmouth, according to a press release.
Set to launch in 2027, Oberon will consist of two Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites, capable of capturing day and night-time images of the Earth’s surface in any weather conditions. The project aims to enhance military operations by monitoring adversary activities and contributing to other government tasks, such as natural disaster monitoring, mapping, and climate change tracking.
“Oberon, alongside Tyche and other satellites in our ISTARI constellation, will allow us to observe what’s happening on Earth from space at any time and through any weather,” said Major General Paul Tedman, UK Space Commander. “This will enable and enhance UK and allied military operations around the world.”
Oberon builds on the success of Tyche, UK Space Command’s first satellite, which launched in August 2024. Tyche recently published its first images, capturing strategic locations like Heathrow Airport, Sydney, and Washington DC, demonstrating its ability to gather valuable data for defence and humanitarian missions.
The Oberon project is part of the broader ISTARI programme, which aims to deploy a constellation of ISR satellites and supporting ground systems by 2031. These systems will provide the UK with vital space-based intelligence capabilities, ensuring flexible global monitoring and swift response times to emerging threats.
The contract was awarded via competitive procurement to Airbus, which collaborated with Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) across the UK. Notably, the antennas for Oberon will be provided by Oxford Space Systems, known for its innovative carbon fibre structures that expand into shape once in orbit.
Ben Bridge, Airbus Defence and Space UK Chairman, highlighted the significance of Oberon: “Oberon’s satellites will give the UK a much-needed sovereign capability and greatly enhance its space surveillance autonomy. Once in orbit, these spacecraft will play a vital role in keeping our Armed Forces safe around the world.”
Paul Russell, Space Team Leader at Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), described the project as a collaborative success: “With the award of the Oberon contract, we will deliver the next in a series of game-changing capabilities to UK Space Command, providing the UK military with leading Space-Based Synthetic Aperture Radar.”
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