UK joins space race with shoebox-sized Cubesat satellites – The National

UK joins space race with shoebox-sized Cubesat satellites – The National

Two shoebox-sized satellites will be launched into space from Spaceport Cornwall in Newquay this summer, as the UK takes its first steps into the space race.

As part of the Prometheus-2 defence mission, two Cubesats will provide a test platform for monitoring radio signals, including GPS and sophisticated imaging, paving the way for a more collaborative and connected space communication system with allies, according to a ministry of defence statement. The technology on board will enable the ministry to identify new techniques and algorithms for operating satellites and data processing, it said.

The Cubesats will be carried on Virgin Orbit’s Launcher One rocket, which takes off horizontally from a modified Boeing 747 jet, named Cosmic Girl. They will operate in low Earth orbit, about 550 kilometres above the Earth and 50km to 100km apart at 27,358kph. Virgin Orbit is backed by Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Investment Company.