The UK’s defence science and technology laboratory (dstl) is set to launch the first tasking of a commercial satellite by a UK Government-owned and operated ground station for nearly 20 years.

The Dstl, which conducts research and development to fuel the UK’s defence and security operations, will demonstrate its satellite operation capability using a relocatable ground station to task and receive data from multiple commercial satellites.

The demonstration, which is scheduled to take place in early October, will represent the first time in nearly 20 years that a UK Government-owned and operated ground station will communicate with a satellite.

The demonstration will occur in collaboration with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, who will provide control of two low-Earth orbit satellites to the Dstl ground station for tasking validation and verification purposes.

Lessons learnt from this demonstration will be used to enhance Dstl’s satellite operations capability as it looks to lead a growing number of space and ground demonstrator missions in the future.

Mike O’Callaghan, Dstl’s space programme manager, said: “Space is increasingly recognised as a critical domain for the maintenance of UK and global security. Dstl’s growing capability will support the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in enabling freedom of action in future operations for the UK and its allies.”

Air Vice Marshal Harv Smyth, the MOD’s Director of Space described the exercise as “extremely important” for the UK’s defence capabilities.

“Dstl and the space directorate are working closer than ever before as we take forward an ambitious space R&D programme, and the experiences gained from initiatives such as this help enormously to underpin our space capability planning for the future,” he added.

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