The UK has announced the launch of a new, £65 million space system designed to enhance satellite protection, amid increasing threats to space assets from global competitors. The Borealis command, control, and data processing system, developed in collaboration with CGI UK, will provide the UK military and Space Agency with an advanced capability to monitor and protect critical space infrastructure.
The new system, which processes and compiles data from multiple sources, will allow for faster and more accurate monitoring of space conditions. This, in turn, will support military commanders both in the UK and overseas, improving decision-making processes in real time. The five-year contract, awarded to CGI UK, is expected to create around 100 skilled jobs across Leatherhead, Reading, and Bristol, giving a significant boost to the UK’s growing space sector.
Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP, welcomed the deal, describing it as a vital step in strengthening the nation’s security. “This new deal delivers for our national security by enhancing protection for our satellite technology that millions rely on, while boosting jobs and growth at home,” she said. The deal aligns with the Government’s Plan for Change, focusing on defence investment and increasing job opportunities.
Borealis’ Key Features:
- Space Domain Awareness: The system will help the UK better understand and analyse space around Earth, monitoring space weather and objects such as debris and active satellites.
- Protection of UK Space Assets: Borealis will provide a comprehensive, bespoke system compiling all data related to the UK’s satellites, increasing awareness of space activities and enabling better protection of critical space infrastructure.
- Integrated Command and Control (C2) System: The system will offer timely, decision-quality information to military commanders and government officials, supporting a range of operational needs.
Major General Paul Tedman, Commander of UK Space Command, emphasised the strategic importance of space in today’s security landscape. “The use of space is crucial for our economy, prosperity, security, and defence, but assured access to space is becoming increasingly contested by adversaries and congested by users and debris,” he explained. “Borealis is an innovative system that draws together multiple inputs to enhance the UK government’s understanding of the wide-ranging activity on orbit, allowing the UK to protect not just our own space assets, but those of our allies and partners as well.”
This new development comes at a time of growing global space competition and security concerns. Last week, North Korea unveiled its first nuclear-powered submarine, and international space activities have been increasingly under scrutiny due to rising tensions. The Borealis system is set to play a critical role in protecting the UK’s satellite technology, which is pivotal for national security, military operations, and economic stability.
Neil Timms, Senior Vice President of Space, Defence & Intelligence UK & Australia at CGI, expressed pride in supporting UK Space Command and the UK Space Agency in delivering Borealis. “We believe this is a strategic step towards establishing a more holistic approach to the UK’s national space data architecture,” Timms said.
With increasing risks in the space domain, Borealis will help safeguard the UK’s space assets and ensure it remains a reliable partner for international space security.
