A satellite developed by the UK business Horizon Technologies has
successfully completed its Critical Design Review (CDR), and is
on schedule for launch in mid-2025, the UK Space Agency announced
today.
The Amber-2 Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) Satellite will play a
key role in detecting ‘dark vessels' at sea, such as those
involved in illegal immigration, illegal fishing activities, drug
smuggling, ship-to-ship transfers of goods and evading
sanctions.
The development of the satellite is supported by a £1.2
million investment from the UK Space Agency. The wider Amber™
Programme has been designed to meet the MDA requirements of the
Royal Navy via the Joint Maritime Security Centre (JMSC) in
Portsmouth.
The follow-on satellite Amber-3 is also progressing, with Horizon
Technologies currently accepting industry-wide proposals from
potential spacecraft/bus suppliers for the build, and a targeted
launch date of late 2025.
The Amber™ satellites work by detecting radio frequency (RF)
signals enabling the identification of satphones and navigation
radars, so when vessels engaged in illegal activities turn off
their Automatic Identification System (AIS) they can still be
tracked. Over the past year, several governments have been
testing the Horizon Technologies Amber's Signal Acquisition
System with impressive results.
A single tower-mounted variant called AmberPersistent can collect
RF signals (L/S/X band emitters) up to 3 million sq/km with
real-time 4/7 coverage, essential for tracking vessels carrying
out illicit activities. In the past quarter, Horizon technologies
has received substantial AmberPersistent orders from NATO and
non-NATO governments.
Matt Archer, UK Space Agency Director of Launch said:
The successful progress of the Amber-2 satellite by Horizon
Technologies demonstrates the UK's leadership in advancing
space-based solutions for global maritime security. By detecting
hard-to-track vessels, Amber-2 will play a pivotal role in
safeguarding international waters from illegal
activities.
We're looking forward to seeing the satellite launch next year,
and to continuing our collaboration with industry on cutting-edge
technologies that deliver real-world benefits. Supporting
projects like the Amber Programme not only enhances security but
also creates high-skilled jobs and fosters innovation across the
UK.
Space-based RF collection will be particularly effective for
open-ocean detection, while shore-based systems can cover some
signals/bands up to 1,000 km, and provide real time persistent
coverage within a nation's Exclusive Economic Zones
(EEZs).
Horizon Technologies CEO John Beckner stated:
The RF Earth Observation market is developing in a path analogous
to AIS tracking. The RF signals collection market will
likely be a combination of terrestrial systems and space-based
data.
All you need is a secure coastal site, power, and an internet
connection.
Horizon Technologies is a small business headquartered in
Reading, Berkshire, and is a global leader in innovative signals
intelligence and space-based Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA)
intelligence solutions.
