The UK is set to collaborate with Canada on the Redwing microsatellite Space Domain Awareness (SDA) mission scheduled to launch in 2027.

Redwing is primed to track objects in congested orbits with improved sensors, and provide near real-time tasking in response to evolving space events.

The size of a small washing machine, Redwing will bee directed and tasked by the Department of National Defence’s science and technology organisation, Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC).

The satellite itself will deploy a smaller nanosatellite that will incorporate a payload from the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and UK Space Command.

“Space is increasingly congested and it is vital that we keep pace with new and emerging threats,” Dr Gemma Bagheri, Dstl space research and development programme manager, said.

“The collaboration with our Canadian partners will enable us to improve the characterisation of objects and maintain security in space to protect our mutual interests.”

According to research from the UN, the number of satellites in space reached 10,125 in June 2024, marking a30% expansion since 2020.

An uptick in space exploration by nation states as well as private ventures – which make up over half of all satellites orbiting the earth – has lead to 30,000 pieces of space debris cluttering space.

To combat this, the Redwing’s nanosatellite, roughly the size of a cereal box and known as Little Innovator in Space Situational Awareness (LISSA), will incorporate as its primary payload a Dstl experimental short waved infrared (SWIR) camera.

Once separated, Redwing and LISSA will fly in tandem in sun-synchronous low Earth orbit, approximately 575km above the Earth and up to 200km apart.

The mission will assess the capabilities of the SWIR camera with particular focus on the South Pole of Earth, where the glare from the illuminated Antarctic ice sheet can hinder object identification in orbit.

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Space objects over the Earth’s South Pole are less monitored than in the North Pole and the mission will inform future space surveillance considerations based on findings from the mission.

This international research cooperation between the countries provides the opportunity for joint collaboration and for developing prototype infrastructure and data processing architecture.

“The space domain continues to change and evolve and requires space faring nations to innovate to keep informed of the security situation in the space domain,” Scott McLelland, DRDC director of research and development for the Defend North America strategic focus area, said.

“DRDC is thrilled to have Dstl participate in the Redwing mission to help grow both nations’ defence space programs.”