Surrey and Oxford firms to build satellite constellation for Space Norway AS

Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) has secured a deal with Space Norway AS to construct a maritime surveillance radar satellite system.

The Surrey Research Park based business will now build a satellite bus and radar antenna, while payloads will be developed in Norway.

Oxford Space Systems (OSS) will deliver a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) antenna as part of the deal.

The agreement targets a first satellite launch in early 2025. This initial launch will be followed by number of radar satellites in order to establish a constellation.

Space Norway will have operational control of the orbiters, using the system to monitor Norwegian waters, which are seven times larger than the country's land mass.

Read more - Science Parks can play a major role in addressing the sectors skill gap argues Chairman of Discovery Park

Named MicroSAR, SSTL state it can simultaneously detect relatively small vessels in a very large area.

Norway’s waters include stretches of Arctic and High North which they class as strategically important.

The current monitoring system, AIS (Automatic Identification System) is based on the co-operation of vessels in the area. The MicroSAR System will offer advanced maritime surveillance services, including surveillance of ship traffic, combating illegal fishing, search and rescue and oil spill detection.

SSTL and OSS have also been working on small radar mission products.

Sean Sutcliffe, CEO of Oxford Space Systems said: “We are delighted to be awarded this critical project which follows a number of years of close collaboration with Space Norway and SSTL.

"This flight contract is a key milestone for the company’s growth strategy and represents another achievement for one of our key products which will be a game-changer for future Smallsat radar missions."

Read more - How to create a viable business in space