UK Space Command and the UK Space Agency have awarded a contract to Spaceflux to build a ground-based space camera-telescope system in Cyprus. Known as Project ‘Nyx Alpha,’ this telescope will monitor objects in geostationary orbit, providing position information on UK satellites to prevent collisions, protect critical space assets, and enhance the UK’s Space Domain Awareness (SDA).

The primary objective of the project is to strengthen the UK’s space industry, supporting existing jobs and creating new opportunities in the sector. The system will also facilitate data sharing with partner organisations and international allies, fostering collaboration in the space domain and enhancing the UK’s strategic space relationships.

Spaceflux, a UK space technology company, will be responsible for building, maintaining, and operating the system. They will work closely with analysts from the UK Space Operations Centre at RAF High Wycombe, under the guidance of the UK Space Agency and UK Space Command.

The contract award was announced by Air Vice-Marshal Paul Godfrey, Commander of UK Space Command, and Dr. Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, at the UK Space Conference in Belfast. Air Vice-Marshal Paul Godfrey emphasised the importance of Space Domain Awareness in protecting UK and allied interests in space, while Dr. Paul Bate highlighted the growing challenge of operating safely in space and the UK’s commitment to ensuring a safe, secure, and sustainable space environment.

Dr. Marco Rocchetto, Founder and CEO of Spaceflux, expressed his company’s pride in supporting the UK Space Agency and UK Space Command in enhancing space capabilities and contributing to the safety of the national space ecosystem. The location of the system in Cyprus offers a better view of the geostationary orbit, enabling UK Space Command to defend and protect UK interests in space, including the renowned SKYNET family of military communications satellites.

During the conference, it was also announced that UK Space Command and the UK Space Agency have procured Space Domain Awareness (SDA) data from Spaceflux and Raytheon Systems, covering various Earth orbits. This data will support civil and military missions in space.

Furthermore, UK Space Command and the UK Space Agency will launch the National Space Operations Centre next year. This centre will coordinate both civilian and military SDA capabilities, enabling operations to protect UK interests from space-related threats, risks, and hazards.

These projects align with the National Space Strategy and the Defence Space Strategy, which prioritise Space Domain Awareness as a key capability. SDA involves the detection, identification, and tracking of objects in space, as well as understanding the effects of threats and hazards such as space weather to ensure the UK has comprehensive knowledge of activities in space.