Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • DE&S awards satellite control contracts to Lockheed Martin and Rhea

Defence Space

DE&S awards satellite control contracts to Lockheed Martin and Rhea

Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) has placed contracts with Lockheed Martin’s Space Systems UK in Oxfordshire and Rhea in Bath, to develop innovative software that will provide a robust, secure and automated satellite control system for future UK MoD satellites.

Above: The UK MoD’s Bereo programme will assist the MoD to understand how best to control its future ISTARI constellation of low orbit general purpose Earth observation satellites, further enhancing the UK’s multidomain integration efforts.
Courtesy DE&S / Copyright Lockheed Martin

The contracts were awarded by the Space Delivery Team at DE&S - the procurement arm of the UK MoD - as part of Project Beroe and will underpin UK Government control of future satellite constellations, further enhancing the country's multidomain integration efforts, its National Space Strategy and reinforce innovation within the space sector.

Advertisement
Teledyne

Worth a total of £4 million, the contracts are for undertaking the agile development of software for satellite system management, designed to capture and process onboard system data to control and monitor the performance of the satellite.

Lockheed Martin's research and development contract is for providing a secure, open source, ground-segment software solution to task, monitor and control the MoD's future space capabilities.

DE&S project manager Melanie MacDonald, said: “We are developing critical software that will provide the UK government with direct control of a range of future satellites. As well as supporting wider government access to diverse satellite data, this capability will support UK Armed Forces operations and provide them with the edge they need to protect the nation.”

Nik Smith, UK and Europe regional director for Lockheed Martin said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside DE&S on this exciting project. Working collaboratively we were able to identify a solution that is a modular, flexible mission control system – based on commercial off-the-shelf open source software – which we’ve already proven on many of our military and commercial space missions.”

Commodore David Moody, head of space capability, UK Space Command said: “This is a pivotal moment for UK Defence and the UK Space Sector as we develop software capabilities and strategic partnerships that will determine the future of how we manage our activities in space.
 
“This project will help define and understand how we will control and optimise the use of our satellites in a safe and sustainable way, while also supporting the wider goal of enabling growth in the Space Sector to develop resilient space capabilities and services.”

Flexible, agile space asset ground control
Lockheed Martin’s Bereo solution leverages the investments made developing the company’s Integrated Multi-Mission Ground (IM2G) product. It is designed to support diverse space missions, orbital regimes and constellation sizes with mature, reconfigurable components and technologies within a hardened ground system.

At the heart of IM2G is the Lockheed Martin’s proven Compass Mission Planning and Horizon Command and Control (C2) software, which allows single satellite or entire constellation management, supporting fleets of similar or entirely different missions and satellite types.  

For the Bereo programme’s multiphase procurement, the MoD is using its Rapid Agile Prototyping, Scaled for Operations (RAPSO) commercial framework, including a series of Agile software development releases, to be completed and demonstrated in 2025.

Lockheed Martin UK, the UK arm of Lockheed Martin Corporation, has operated in country for nearly 80 years and employs 1,700 people at 22 sites. This new project aligns with one of Lockheed Martin UK’s core commitments, as part of its role as a key player in growing the UK’s space economy. The company plays a vital part in both the protection and defence of the UK, providing its expertise to the UK Government’s Space Defence Strategy as well as creating new jobs in the space industry.

Advertisement
ODU RT

The UK’s National Space Strategy is to build one of the most innovative and attractive space economies in the world and for the UK to grow as a space-faring nation. Project Beroe is one of the many space capability development initiatives that deliver the National Space Strategy aim of using cutting edge research to inspire the next generation, and sustain the UK’s competitive edge in space science and technology.

 

 

 

 

Advertisement
PTC PTC
Welsh employers recognised with Defence ERS Silver Award

Defence Events

Welsh employers recognised with Defence ERS Silver Award

25 July 2025

Seventeen of Wales’ forces-friendly employers have been recognised with the prestigious Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award.

Air Marshal Harv Smyth appointed Chief of The Air Staff

Defence

Air Marshal Harv Smyth appointed Chief of The Air Staff

25 July 2025

Air Marshal Harv Smyth CB OBE DFC MA RAF is to be appointed as Chief of the Air Staff and Aide-de-Camp to His Majesty in the rank of Air Chief Marshal

Royal Navy trials submarine launch of autonomous vehicles

Defence

Royal Navy trials submarine launch of autonomous vehicles

25 July 2025

The Royal Navy has been undertaking ground-breaking trials to demonstrate the launch and recovery of uncrewed underwater vehicles from submarines, delivered by the Submarine Delivery Agency’s Autonomy Unit in partnership with L3Harris.

Over 200 employers recognised with Gold Defence ERS Award

Defence

Over 200 employers recognised with Gold Defence ERS Award

25 July 2025

Employers from several industries have been recognised for their exceptional support to the UK armed forces community with the Gold Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Award.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT
Denmark buys four GA-ASI MQ-9B SkyGuardians

Defence

Denmark buys four GA-ASI MQ-9B SkyGuardians

25 July 2025

Denmark and the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) have announced the procurement of four MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

UK signs trade deal with India

Aerospace Defence Security Space

UK signs trade deal with India

24 July 2025

Today, the Prime Minister has welcomed nearly £6 billion in new investment and export wins, set to create over 2,200 British jobs across the country as Indian firms expand their operations in the UK and British companies secure new business opportunities in India, following the signing of an historic UK-India trade deal.

Advertisement
ODU RT