BAE Systems said the satellites could protect the UK from threats
By Marcus White,
Published by the BBC, 3 December 2025
A UK mission to deploy intelligence-gathering satellites is celebrating a successful first space launch.
BAE Systems’ Azalea cluster was put into low orbit from California, USA, on 28 November.
The AI-enabled satellites were designed, built and are controlled by the firm’s UK space division in Alton, Hampshire.
The firm said they could deliver vital information in minutes rather than hours, helping to protect the UK from threats.
The launch, which was originally scheduled for 2024, was part of the SpaceX Transporter-15 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
The three satellites, equipped with ultra-wideband radio frequency (RF) sensors, will orbit the Earth every 90 minutes at an altitude of 350 miles (560km).
They are teamed with a fourth, Finnish-designed synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite that can see through darkness and clouds, BAE Systems said.
The “novel RF and SAR cluster” will be trialled with potential customers, including the UK government, over the coming months, the company added.
The satellites are configurable while in orbit, so they can be adapted to serve various purposes.
Possible uses could include protecting frontline troops, disaster relief and detecting illegal activity at sea, the firm said.
Andrea Thompson, group managing director at the company’s digital intelligence business, said: “Our Azalea mission reflects the critical role space plays in defence and national security.”
Dr Paul Bate, chief executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “The new satellites, which will use AI to convert raw data into actionable intelligence, represent a significant and welcome investment by BAE Systems in the UK space industry.”
See: Original Article
