Known as The Azalea the group of satellites will use a range of sensors to collect visual, radar and radio frequency (RF) data, which will be analysed by on board machine learning on edge processors to deliver the resulting intelligence securely, anywhere in the world while still in orbit.
Following the acquisition of In-Space Missions last year, BAE Systems is one of a small number of British companies with the capability to design, build, launch and operate satellites. The expertise brought by In-Space Missions complements the BAE’s existing advanced technologies and will become an integral part of its multi-domain capability. The Azalea will also boost the UK’s ability to understand the threats and hazards in, from and through space.
The Azalea cluster has been designed to deliver timely, actionable intelligence, that’s essential for both military operations and disaster response.
The cluster comprises of four highly resilient satellites which, together, are capable of gathering, analysing and communicating Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), optical and RF signals.
Unlike conventional, single-purpose satellites, the cluster can be fully reconfigured whilst in orbit in the same way a smartphone installs a new app; this ensures it can deliver future customer missions and expands the lifecycle of the satellites.
The programme supports the UK Government’s Defence Space Strategy, which named Earth observation as a priority area to help protect and defend UK interests, a sovereign capability which Azalea could provide.
BAE Systems is working with Finnish firm, ICEYE, to combine its own expertise in sensor technology with ICEYE’s advanced SAR technology to be included in the cluster. SAR provides high-resolution imagery of the Earth’s surface, day or night and in any weather conditions. This persistent monitoring makes it easier to detect instant physical changes, such as the movement of hostile ships or aircraft or the location of people at risk during natural disasters, such as floods and forest fires.
The Azalea system can save time by combining and analysing data in space. It will be able to identify activities of interest and directly communicate with users on the ground within moments of detection – securely delivering assured data, in a useful timeframe, directly to the hands of decision makers.
Dave Armstrong, Group Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Digital Intelligence business said, “The Azalea satellite cluster will provide swathes of digital intelligence wherever it’s needed. We understand how important space-based intelligence is to every domain, whether that’s informing strategic command, alerting an in-area warship, or providing real-time intelligence to forces on the ground. The launch in 2024 will be a major step forward for the UK’s sovereign space capability.”
