Take-off for UK-built supercomputer nanosatellites
Four government-backed nanosatellites no bigger than a microwave have launched.
Sep 28, UK Space Agency: Four shoebox-sized and government-backed satellites, including two supercomputers, have launched this afternoon (Monday 28 September).
The ‘nanosatellites’, which are built-in Glasgow and are no larger than a microwave, have joined a fleet of nearly 100 objects in low Earth orbit that monitor shipping movements, helping predict global trade and making business more cost-effective and efficient.
Like mobile phones, satellites are also getting smaller and smarter and nanosatellites are roughly the size of a shoebox. Despite their size, they can do almost everything a conventional satellite does.
Two of the Spire nanosatellites have an onboard supercomputer and intelligent machine-learning algorithms that can provide hyper-accurate predictions of the locations of boats, track their whereabouts and calculate their arrival times at ports, allowing port businesses and authorities to manage busy docks safely.
Two further Spire satellites launched alongside them today, both of which will be used to forge inter-satellite links. These connections allow satellites to act as relays, sending data to one another and down to ground stations, which cuts the time between data collection and its delivery.
Made by Spire Global UK, the nanosatellites, which are some of the smartest satellites ever built in the UK, are backed by over £10 million of investment from the UK Space Agency and took off on a Soyuz launcher at 12.20 pm (BST).
Science Minister Amanda Solloway said:
While nanosatellites are just the size of a shoe box, they have the power and intelligence of a regular satellite and are driving a revolution in how we observe our planet.
Backed by £10 million of UK government funding, these extraordinary nanosatellites will not only help predict global trade and make businesses more cost effective, but will ensure the UK remains at the forefront of satellite development.
The market for these smaller satellites, which are designed to orbit close to Earth’s atmosphere, is growing rapidly. According to a report by the Satellite Industry Association and Bryce Space and Technology, a total of 292 of the spacecraft were launched into space in 2017, compared with 55 in 2016.
This shift is fuelled by a wave of innovation that has made satellites cheaper to produce and the emergence of new commercial launch providers, such as SpaceX, which have made space more accessible.
The Government is supporting the development of spaceports across the country and the growing launch industry, which will see satellites lifting off from UK soil for the first time in the coming years.
Nanosatellites enable, among other advances, the ability to observe Earth’s environment more completely and regularly than ever before. Recent advances in optics and communication technologies have improved the smaller spacecraft’ capabilities for remote sensing and imaging.
UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart said:
Scotland’s space sector is very ambitious. I’m delighted the UK Government has invested £10 million in this exciting Glasgow-based company.
These nanosatellites will join an orbital fleet of over a 100 that predict global trade movements – aiming to make trade predictions hyper-accurate.
This funding will help to bolster the UK’s role as a leader in space innovation.
