Luxembourg, UK Companies Partner on Space Domain Awareness Programme

On Wednesday 13 September 2023, the Luxembourg and UK-based LMO and the UK-based In-Space Missions Ltd have announced they have partnered to explore the use of small satellite platforms for space-based Space Domain Awareness (SDA).

This initiative constitutes a part of LMO’s AUREA (Autonomous Recognition of Foreign Assets) programme. According to LMO, In-Space Missions, a subsidiary of BAE Systems, will study the mission scope of a space-based SDA demonstrator small satellite with a software stack on the ground to demonstrate end-user compatibility.

Michel Poucet, CEO of LMO, said: “Partnering with In-Space Missions will allow us to accelerate the validation process of our Protect and Defend architecture, and demonstrate our core SDA capability to end users within NATO and the Five Eyes.”

Doug Liddle, CEO of In-Space Missions, added: “At In-Space Missions, we recognise the importance of monitoring the Earth’s orbital environment and synthesising an accurate picture of an increasingly contested space domain. To ensure a secure future in space, the safety of our satellite assets, and the security of those people who depend on them for critical services, we will continue to develop capabilities around space domain awareness. As an important step forward in growing these capabilities, In-Space is delighted to be working on this project with LMO – a company recognised as a domain leader in space domain awareness.”

In-Space Missions intends to work with LMO and SDA end-users, to define the mission requirements, characterise the constraints of the satellite platform and avionics and identify potential development gaps. The study also aims to identify and define Space Resident Objects (SROs) and orbits of interest, assess real time on-edge processing needs, and determine the number of satellites required to deliver LMO’s full AUREA SDA service.

The AUREA programme will reportedly focus on multi-sensor and multi-modal technologies, including optical, LiDAR and radar instruments. As part of the project, a simulator of the on-board computer will be delivered to LMO for full end-to-end testing of the software, paving the way for the launch of an AUREA SDA demonstration mission.

AUREA is a dual-use development programme for SDA, funded by Luxembourg's Directorate of Defence, aimed at bolstering capabilities for Luxembourg and its European and NATO Allies, including the UK.

Colonel Guy Hoffman, Luxembourg National Armaments Director, concluded: “Space Domain Awareness is essential for informed decision-making and thus a priority for Luxembourg Directorate of Defence’s space strategy. We need innovative dual-use solutions with military and societal benefits. That was the very ambition of our first R&D call for proposals. As the AUREA programme met all our expectations, it is one of the projects we will fund in the framework of the call.”