Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Spire Global receives DASA space tech funds for RF signals detection and geolocation

Defence Security Space

Spire Global receives DASA space tech funds for RF signals detection and geolocation

Spire Global today announced significant funding awarded by Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), a UK Government-backed programme, as part of its Space to Innovate Campaign’s Themed Competition.

Image copyright Shutterstock

The award, which represents the largest funding to date awarded to a Scottish innovator, will support the demonstration of radio frequency (RF) signals detection and geolocation from multiple satellites in Spire’s low earth orbit (LEO) nanosatellite constellation.

The RF spectrum is frequently at risk of unauthorised use, interference or manipulation and as a result, the monitoring of RF activity has become increasingly important to government entities.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025

Spire’s capabilities in building and operating LEO multi-payload satellites capable of collecting and analysing a wide variety of signals can play a crucial role in supporting this monitoring process. The company will demonstrate its ability to geolocate RF signals emitted near the Earth’s surface, focusing on L-Band SATCOM signals, and investigate further geolocation techniques using Spire nanosatellites designed and manufactured in Glasgow, Scotland.

The Space to Innovate Campaign was launched in collaboration with DASA and the Defence Technology Laboratory (Dstl) space programme, to promote space resilience and operational effectiveness. The campaign seeks proposals that can maintain the UK’s freedom of action in the space domain by developing future space technologies that enhance and protect space military and civil potential.

The campaign format is unique from other DASA competitions and comprises space-related challenges that will be released in ‘drops’ throughout 2021 and 2022. This approach enables greater variation of contract values and durations to be issued by DASA, which provides larger and longer contracts for more mature technologies, whilst also enabling less mature innovations to be explored.

Theresa Condor, EVP & GM Spire Space Services at Spire Global Inc., said: “It is an honour for us to be selected by DASA for this mission in support of the UK Government and its defense activities and to be recognised as part of Scotland's innovative space technology scene. Using Spire expertise in signal detection and geolocation, the project will take advantage of our capabilities as a space services provider and utilise the expertise and heritage of our low earth orbit nanosatellite constellation, consisting of more than 100 satellites and 17 ground stations globally.”

Debra Carr, Innovation Partner at DASA, said: “I’m thrilled that Spire has been awarded this funding – the largest award we have given to an innovator in Scotland. They are a fantastic company to work with, and their impressive technology that helps us understand the present and potential impact of RF signal detection and geolocation is a great showcase of Scottish contributions to the space domain. This fund decision further reinforces the unique type of technologies that Scotland can offer defence.”

Advertisement
Amentum rectangle

 


 

Advertisement
Amentum banner Amentum banner
ACM Sir Richard Knighton takes over as Chief of Defence Staff

Defence

ACM Sir Richard Knighton takes over as Chief of Defence Staff

2 September 2025

Outgoing Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin handed over today to his successor, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton.

British Army

Defence

British Army's new Kendrew Barracks' accomodation block completed

2 September 2025

New accommodation for British Army service personnel at Kendrew Barracks has been completed under a major investment programme that is improving living conditions across the Army estate.

Babcock and PGZ expand sea and air domain solutions

Defence Events

Babcock and PGZ expand sea and air domain solutions

2 September 2025

Babcock has signed a strategic cooperation agreement (SCA) with PGZ SA, the Polish Armaments Group, to expand their collaboration across sea and air domains.

Altair to demo AI-powered engineering and advanced connectivity at DSEI

Defence Events

Altair to demo AI-powered engineering and advanced connectivity at DSEI

2 September 2025

Altair will demonstrate the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered engineering, smart manufacturing and advanced connectivity at DSEI 2025, taking place next week (9th-12th September) at the ExCel Centre in London.

Advertisement
Amentum rectangle
Roke extends ZODIAC support for British Army

Defence

Roke extends ZODIAC support for British Army

2 September 2025

Roke has secured a £20 million contract with the British Army to ensure that Project ZODIAC continues to be optimised for the frontline.

Norway selects British warships

Defence

Norway selects British warships

1 September 2025

Billions of pounds will be pumped into the UK economy following Norway’s decision to select British warships for their Armed Forces – securing thousands of jobs in Britain for years to come.

Advertisement
Amentum rectangle