Babcock joins Space Data Association

Image courtesy SDA

Babcock delivers engineering, support and critical systems to defence and civil markets and is a leading provider of secure communications to the military. The Babcock led consortium of Team Aurora is responsible for managing and operating the UK Ministry of Defence’s military satellite communications system, Skynet, alongside partners SES, Intelsat and LuxGovSat.

The SDA brings satellite operators together to improve flight safety through sharing of operational data and promotion of best practices for space use. It is an international organisation that facilitates the controlled, reliable and efficient sharing of data critical to the safety and integrity of the space environment. SDA members include the world’s major satellite communications operators as well as remote sensing organisations.

Joe Chan, Chairman and Executive Director, SDA, said: “We’re delighted that Babcock is joining the SDA. We are aligned in our interests to ensure a controlled, reliable and efficient space environment, and Babcock’s move to become a member of the SDA will put us in a better position to achieve that aim.”

Neal Misell, CEO of Babcock’s Mission Systems business which operates and maintains the Skynet contract, said: “Babcock is committed to creating a safe and secure world by maintaining lines of defence and ensuring critical services and assets are readily available and future proofed. As a provider of secure communications for the UK military, maintaining a safe space environment is obviously critically important. Being a member of the SDA will help us maintain safety of the Skynet constellation of satellites and will help improve safety of the space environment for all civil and defence users.”