The UK’s next-generation military communications satellite – Skynet 6A – has successfully completed the coupling of its communications and service modules.
The spacecraft – designed and built at Airbus’ Stevenage and Portsmouth plants – will provide vital communications services for Britain’s armed forces and achieved the major milestone at the National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF) in Harwell, Oxfordshire. The NSTF is operated by the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s RAL Space.
“This significant development in the programme will allow Airbus to complete final baseline testing at our Stevenage site, followed by environmental testing back at NSTF later this year,” said Airbus Defence and Space UK Chairman Ben Bridge.
The Airbus Skynet satellite programme has provided the UK military with sovereign capability for the past 50 years and the 6A spacecraft builds on that wealth of home-grown experience to incorporate new, innovative capabilities to meet the changing requirements of the armed forces for the foreseeable future.
This is the first time that a large, geostationary-orbit (GEO) communications satellite has been coupled in the UK. Skynet 6A is also the first spacecraft to use the new NSTF during this initial year of operation by RAL Space; earlier this year 6A’s antennas were successfully tested in the NSTF’s electromagnetic compatibility facility.
