Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Space
  • /
  • Babcock joins Space Data Association

Defence Space

Babcock joins Space Data Association

The Space Data Association (SDA) has announced that defence company Babcock International Group has joined its membership.

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.

Advertisement
ODU RT

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.”

Advertisement
ODU RT

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.”

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
ADS appoints Matthew Reynolds as CIO

Aerospace Defence Security Space Events

ADS appoints Matthew Reynolds as CIO

19 June 2026

ADS Group - parent organisation of trade association ADS and Farnborough International - has appointed Matthew Reynolds as its Chief Information Officer (CIO).

North Ayrshire secures most UK SpaceX investment

Space

North Ayrshire secures most UK SpaceX investment

18 June 2026

Last week SpaceX dominated headlines all over the world but in the UK it was in an unlikely region in Western Scotland that the mega-IPO garnered the most retail investor attention.

SOLAR-1 becomes operational

Space

SOLAR-1 becomes operational

16 June 2026

Global space weather forecasting is getting a step-change in capability as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) SOLAR-1 satellite becomes operational.

Optera funding fuels UK hub for space domain awareness

Defence Security Space

Optera funding fuels UK hub for space domain awareness

15 June 2026

Optera, a neuromorphic sensing company delivering next-generation space domain awareness (SDA), has raised £3 million to establish and scale its UK headquarters and engineering team.

Advertisement
ODU RT
ESA officially adopts ARRAKIHS as F2 Mission

Space

ESA officially adopts ARRAKIHS as F2 Mission

12 June 2026

The European Space Agency (ESA) has officially adopted ARRAKIHS as its second FAST-class (F2) scientific mission, with the University of Surrey leading the UK’s role in the project to uncover the hidden history of galaxies ahead of a confirmed target launch date of 2030.

UK funding boosts breakthrough space tech

Space

UK funding boosts breakthrough space tech

11 June 2026

At London Tech Week, UK Space Minister Liz Lloyd unveiled more than £19 million to support British companies developing next-generation space technologies.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
General Atomics LB