Airbus awarded Oberon SAR satellite contract by UK MoD

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded Airbus its Oberon contract, worth GBP125 million (EUR 150 million), to design and build two synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites to provide a day-and-night, all-weather, space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability.

The award was announced by both Airbus and the UK MoD’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) organisation on 10 February 2025.

The two Oberon satellites will feature active, ultra-high resolution SAR, strengthening the UK MoD’s ISR capabilities and offering greater freedom of action to British and allied defence forces.

The Oberon satellites build on the capabilities of Tyche, UK Space Command’s first satellite, which was successfully launched in August 2024. UK Space Command has recently published the first images captured by Tyche, which is an electro-optical imaging satellite.

Both capabilities form part of the MoD’s space-based ISR programme, known as ISTARI, which will deliver a constellation of satellites and supporting ground systems by 2031.

Airbus has worked with small and medium-Sized enterprises (SMEs) across the UK to leverage innovative new technologies for the 400 kg Oberon satellites. The antennas for the spacecraft will be supplied by Oxford Space Systems, which has developed carbon fibre structures that stow away in very small volumes for launch but deploy into shape once in orbit. The antenna’s ‘wrapped rib’ design will transmit and receive the radar pulses that are used to map the surface of the Earth.

The Oberon satellites will be designed, built and tested at Airbus’ space facilities in Stevenage and Portsmouth, which Airbus says will secure scores of high-value jobs. The supporting satellite ground segment and geospatial intelligence capabilities will be developed at Airbus’ facilities in Guildford, Newcastle, Newport and Chippenham. The system is expected to launch in 2027, according to Airbus.

Ben Bridge, Airbus Defence and Space’s UK chairman, was quoted in a company press release as saying, “Oberon’s satellites will give the UK a much-needed sovereign capability and greatly enhance its space surveillance and intelligence autonomy. Airbus in the UK has more than 45 years’ experience in the design and build of high-resolution radar satellites and, 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 DE&S, stated, “This has been a superb team effort by members of DE&S, Space Command, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, as well as industry.

“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, whilst helping to keep our nation safe and prosperous. We are looking forward to working with Airbus as our mission partner to deliver this important capability together.”