UK Space Antenna Deploys Successfully in Orbit

A groundbreaking space antenna designed and built in the UK has successfully unfurled in orbit, marking a major win for British space innovation.

Oxford Space Systems and Surrey Satellite Technology Limited announced their Wrapped Rib Antenna deployed perfectly aboard the CarbSAR mission after launching on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on January 11th. The achievement validates years of engineering work and gives the technology crucial flight heritage for future missions.

The antenna's clever design solves a big problem in space engineering: how to fit large equipment into small rockets. It folds into a compact package for launch, then unfolds in two stages once in orbit. First, a metal mesh reflector surface extends, followed by a secondary reflector that moves into position at the focal point.

This storage-efficient approach enables powerful Earth observation capabilities from small satellites, making advanced radar imaging more accessible and affordable. The antenna operates at X-band frequencies for synthetic aperture radar, allowing detailed monitoring of our planet from space.

Oxford Space Systems designed, manufactured, and assembled the entire antenna at its Oxfordshire facilities, which include specialized composite and metal mesh production areas. The company was founded in 2013 with the goal of becoming a global leader in deployable space antennas.

Pete Ashworth, Chief Technology Officer at Oxford Space Systems, called the successful deployment a major technical milestone that demonstrates the company's ability to develop advanced antenna technologies in the UK. The achievement strengthens confidence as they move toward production at scale.

The Ripple Effect

This success opens doors for more capable satellite missions from smaller, more cost-effective platforms. As these technologies mature, they could enable wider access to high-quality Earth observation data for climate monitoring, disaster response, and agricultural planning. The partnership between Oxford Space Systems and Surrey Satellite Technology showcases the strength of UK space engineering collaboration.

Surrey Satellite Technology has been pioneering small satellite innovation for over four decades across 76 missions. Their partnership with Oxford Space Systems flight-qualifies technology that will support future synthetic aperture radar and Earth observation missions worldwide.

The deployment provides Oxford Space Systems with valuable performance data and strengthens its position as a leading UK provider of advanced deployable antennas for government and commercial customers in international markets.

British space innovation just reached new heights, proving that big capabilities can come in surprisingly compact packages.