Published 7 March 2025
Last updated 12 March 2025 — See all updates
The SKYNET 6 programme is working closely with industry to
exploit technological advancements to deliver the next generation
of military communication satellites.
SKYNET is the UK Ministry of Defence's satellite communication
(SATCOM) capability. It supports operations to deliver
information to UK and allied forces around the world, enabling
battlefield information advantage anywhere, anytime.
Representing the single largest government investment in the UK
space industry, SKYNET 6 highlights the nation's commitment to
developing its space capabilities and is a programme co-sponsored
by Strategic Command and UK Space Command.
The first of the SKYNET 6 assets, 6A, has reached a milestone
with the completion of the initial phase of testing at the new
UK-government funded National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF) in
Harwell, Oxfordshire. The satellite will leverage the latest
developments in digital processing and radio frequency spectrum
utilisation, offering greater capacity and versatility than
previous generations of SKYNET satellites.
Further testing of the completed SKYNET 6A satellite will be
conducted at the facility this year, with Airbus Defence, Space
UK and the Science and Technology Facilities Council's (STFC) RAL
Space working closely together to guarantee the satellite's
long-term functionality and reliability once it's launched into
orbit.
Jason Gnaneswaran, Senior Responsible Owner for SKYNET 6,
said:
The SKYNET 6 programme will ensure our deployed forces have
world-leading communications abilities on demand, whether on the
battlefield, onboard a ship, or in the air.
This milestone in testing is a huge achievement for the Ministry
of Defence and RAL Space and is a crucial step in guaranteeing
the delivery and long-term functionality of SKYNET 6A.
It also highlights the success of the broader SKYNET enterprise
and the value of close collaboration with our industry and
cross-government partners.
Scheduled for launch in 2026, this cutting-edge satellite will be
the first SKYNET military communications satellite to be entirely
designed, built, and tested in the UK, marking a significant
advancement for the nation's space industry. It will be a
critical asset for the UK's armed forces and allies, providing
secure and reliable communications for at least 15 years and
supporting a wide range of military activities across all
operational domains.
This project directly sustains 550 highly skilled jobs throughout
the country, including in Stevenage, Corsham, and Portsmouth.
Whilst the Harwell Campus is already home to over 100 local and
international space organisations, the NSTF itself is expected to
attract new businesses and investment to the UK space sector,
further solidifying the country's position as a leader in space
technology.
SKYNET 6A's testing campaign is a testament to the UK's growing
expertise in the space sector enabled by direct investment from
the programme.
Dr Barbara Ghinelli, Director for the Science and Technology
Facilities Council's Innovation Clusters and for the Harwell
Campus, said:
By supporting pioneering projects like SKYNET 6A, the facility is
helping to accelerate the UK's journey towards the
commercialisation of space and further strengthening our clusters
as global hubs for innovation.
Our unique combination of facilities and expertise supports
businesses across the UK, and we are excited to enable more
dual-use application of our capabilities through programmes like
SKYNET 6 and the Regional Defence and Security Clusters.
Ben Bridge, Airbus Defence and Space UK Chairman, said:
Airbus is proud to have been a partner to the MOD on Skynet for
the past 40 years, guaranteeing UK sovereign capability.
Skynet 6A provides end-to-end UK design, development and
manufacture capability to support our Armed Forces, and the
completion of this initial testing phase is a
great accomplishment.
SKYNET continues to play a critical role in the UK's military
satellite communication infrastructure, supporting whole force
integration which ensures the armed forces remain connected and
informed wherever they operate.
