Oxford Space Systems' Wrapped Rib Antenna deployed on SSTL’s CarbSAR
Image courtesy SSTL
The deployment marks a major milestone for Oxford Space Systems, providing flight heritage for its first large deployable reflector.
The CarbSAR demonstration mission was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on 11th January 2026, as previously announced. Following launch and initial commissioning activities, the antenna has now deployed successfully in orbit, validating the multi-year development programme undertaken by the Oxford Space Systems team covering engineering design, analysis, manufacturing and ground-based testing.
This achievement represents the first in-orbit deployment of Oxford Space Systems’ Wrapped Rib Antenna and demonstrates the maturity of its innovative deployable architecture. The antenna was designed, manufactured and assembled at Oxford Space Systems’ facilities in Oxfordshire, which comprise composite and metal mesh production facilities and a clean room for assembly, integration and testing. The antenna enables high-performance X-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) capability from a compact, stowage-efficient configuration, supporting advanced Earth observation missions from small satellite platforms. The antenna deployment is in two stages; firstly, the metal mesh primary reflector surface, followed by the secondary reflector mast deployed to the focal point of the reflector. It is this design with dual deployment that enables the extremely stowage efficient design for the Wrapped Rib Antenna.
Pete Ashworth, Chief Technology Officer at Oxford Space Systems, commented: "The successful deployment of the Wrapped Rib Antenna in orbit is a major technical milestone for Oxford Space Systems. It validates our engineering approach and demonstrates our ability to develop and industrialise advanced deployable antenna technologies in the UK. This achievement builds valuable flight heritage, reinforces our confidence as we move towards future missions and production at scale, and reflects the expertise of our engineering and manufacturing teams and the strength of our collaboration with mission partners.”
Andrew Cawthorne, Managing Director at SSTL, said: “The successful deployment of the Wrapped Rib Antenna is the key milestone for the CarbSAR mission and a clear demonstration of the performance that can be achieved from compact satellite platforms. We’re proud to have partnered with Oxford Space Systems to flight-qualify this innovative technology and look forward to building on this heritage for future SAR and Earth observation missions.”
The deployment provides Oxford Space Systems with valuable in-orbit heritage and performance data, further strengthening the company’s position as a leading UK provider of advanced deployable antennas. This heritage underpins ongoing and future programmes for government and commercial customers in the UK and international markets and supports the continued industrialisation of antenna production at scale.
