Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Space

GX5 now guided by SCC

Inmarsat’s newest satellite, GX5, has passed another milestone with 24/7 control of the spacecraft now taken over by the company’s Satellite Control Centre (SCC) in London.

Launch teams from Inmarsat and the satellite manufacturer Thales Alenia Space have been carrying out rigorous testing and calibration since GX5, the fifth satellite in the Global Xpress fleet, was launched from Kourou, French Guiana on 26th November 2019.

Since then, more than 700 tests have been performed across the payload’s multi-beam antennas and the four steerable antennas, which will deliver more capacity than the entire GX1-GX4 fleet combined.

Advertisement
ODU RT


Courtesy Inmarsat

The SCC will now guide GX5 on the journey towards its final on-station location. When the satellite enters commercial service later this year, it will meet growing demand across Europe and the Middle East, in particular for aviation Wi-Fi and commercial maritime services.

Over the next four years, the GX fleet will be joined by a further seven advanced payloads, which represent enhancement in overall capacity and capabilities of the GX network; the world’s first and only, globally available, seamless mobile broadband network.

Advertisement
ODU RT


 

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
Viasat and partners complete Iris RPAS flight trial

Aerospace Space

Viasat and partners complete Iris RPAS flight trial

27 May 2026

Viasat has collaborated with TTP and Frequentis, under the European Space Agency (ESA) Iris programme, on an Iris Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) flight trial.

Dstl achieves UK’s first optical downlink from space

Defence Space

Dstl achieves UK’s first optical downlink from space

27 May 2026

The UK’s first successful download of data from space using a deployable laser communications ground station has been achieved by Archangel Lightworks for the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).

BOREALIS goes live six months early

Defence Space

BOREALIS goes live six months early

26 May 2026

CGI has supported the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the UK Space Agency (UKSA) to achieve Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for BOREALIS, six months ahead of schedule.

ADS appoints Andy Williams Director of ADS Scotland

Aerospace Defence Security Space

ADS appoints Andy Williams Director of ADS Scotland

22 May 2026

ADS, the trade association for the aerospace, defence, security and space industries, has announced the appointment of Andy Williams as Scotland Director.

Advertisement
ODU RT
King’s College London and Cranfield University propose merger

Aerospace Defence Security Space

King’s College London and Cranfield University propose merger

22 May 2026

King’s College London and Cranfield University have announced that the two universities have signed an agreement as the first step towards a merger, with the aim of bringing the two institutions together from August 2027, which will support UK national capability and resilience.

British defence unicorns awarded new MoD contracts

Defence Space

British defence unicorns awarded new MoD contracts

21 May 2026

Thirteen British businesses have been awarded contracts of up to £4 million to work with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to boost rapid procurement, drive innovation and deliver advanced technology for UK Armed Forces.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
General Atomics LB