The UK armed forces will gain access to enhanced Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities following the award of a contract for a new satellite named Juno.
The £40 million programme is being led by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL). The initiative is expected to support around 200 skilled jobs, bolstering the UK’s space sector and contributing to wider economic growth.
Scheduled for launch in 2027, Juno will carry advanced imaging sensors capable of capturing high-resolution daytime images of the Earth’s surface. The mission builds on the success of Tyche, UK Space Command’s first satellite, which launched in August.
Tyche and Juno form part of the Ministry of Defence’s space-based ISR programme, which aims to deliver a constellation of satellites and the required ground systems by 2031. This capability will strengthen the UK’s ability to gather timely, space-based intelligence to support defence operations.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton commented: “With Tyche in orbit and Juno now on contract, UK Space Command’s ISTARI programme is making significant progress, demonstrating innovation and close collaboration between government and industry.
“Having these Earth observation satellites on orbit will better equip UK Space Command and the wider defence community to conduct all-domain operations and deliver assured space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance for the joint force and our allies.”
Paul Russell, Space Team Leader at Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), added: “Contracting and overseeing the delivery of a new generation of UK military capabilities in a complex and critical environment requires focused collaboration with defence and industry partners.
“These efforts are essential to ensure the UK armed forces have access to the surveillance and intelligence needed to maintain a competitive edge.”
Beyond direct military applications—such as monitoring adversary activity and supporting operations—these satellites will also contribute to wider government needs. They will assist with disaster monitoring, mapping and geospatial intelligence, environmental assessments, and tracking the impacts of global climate change.
Maria Eagle, Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, said: “The Juno contract underlines the UK’s commitment to growing one of the most innovative and attractive space economies in the world and maintaining our competitive edge in space science and technology.
“Juno will support armed forces personnel operating around the globe and create highly skilled jobs, helping to deliver the government’s growth agenda.”
SSTL operates from two sites in Guildford, Surrey, and Bordon, Hampshire, and employs around 400 engineers, technicians, and support staff. Approximately half of these employees will be involved in the Juno programme, highlighting the project’s role in sustaining essential UK space industry expertise. The work on Juno will also inform future procurement strategies for national space capabilities.
Andrew Cawthorne, Managing Director of SSTL, said: “We are proud the Ministry of Defence has again entrusted SSTL to deliver the UK’s next sovereign intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance spacecraft.
“Juno will provide a notable improvement in imaging capability compared with Tyche, SSTL’s demonstrator spacecraft. We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with UK Space Command, DE&S, and Dstl, and to playing a leading role in delivering the UK Defence Space Strategy.”
Related: NATO is funding satellite backup systems to protect subsea internet cables, underscoring the strategic importance of resilient space-based services.
Enhance your digital transformation strategy — Discover Digital Transformation Week, which takes place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The event is co-located with AI & Big Data Expo, Cyber Security & Cloud Expo, and other leading industry gatherings.
Explore additional enterprise technology events and webinars from TechForge to stay informed about developments across digital transformation, AI, cybersecurity, and cloud technologies.