British-designed satellites successfully launched

Photo: SpaceX

A cluster of British designed and built satellites has been successfully launched into low-Earth orbit, providing the defence, security and civil sectors with UK space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to enhance the nation’s ability to protect against modern threats. Three BAE Systems designed and built Azalea radio frequency (RF) satellites, have been successfully launched via Exolaunch as part of the Transporter-15 Rideshare Mission with SpaceX on 28 November, 2025 — communications with the UK-produced satellites were subsequently established.

This marks a crucial milestone in the company’s self-funded Azalea mission which will see the three satellites fly in formation at an altitude of 350 miles, using their ultra-wideband RF sensors to monitor and geolocate radio signals on Earth across vast distances. They are joined by a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite that can see through clouds to create images of the earth’s surface. Launched aboard the same Transporter-15 mission, the satellite from Finnish company ICEYE becomes part of a four satellite cluster with advanced multi-sensing capabilities.

The cluster will process RF and SAR data in space, designed to deliver actionable information directly to decision-makers across land, sea and air in near real time – helping them protect armed forces, safeguard critical national infrastructure and detect illegal activity at sea. Over the coming months, BAE Systems will trial this novel fusion of RF and SAR data, collaborating with customers to explore a range of use cases including intelligence gathering and supporting disaster relief.

Complex threats
Andrea Thompson, Group managing director at BAE Systems’ Digital Intelligence business, said: “Building on decades of experience in defence, security and space innovation, our Azalea mission reflects the critical role space plays in defence and national security, offering a unique vantage point of Earth which enables us to better understand and respond to today’s complex threats.

“This cutting-edge technology is designed to deliver near real-time, space-based insights directly to users, empowering them to make informed decisions that help protect the UK and its allies. I am incredibly proud of the team for their work to boost the UK’s space capability.”

Each weighing around 150kg, the RF spacecraft carry the Azalea Enhanced Software Defined Radio – designed, developed, built and operated by BAE Systems. The equipment uses artificial intelligence (AI) to accurately process RF and SAR data onboard the satellites, turn it into actionable intelligence and transmit it securely back to Earth. Like a mobile phone operating system update, the payload can be rapidly reconfigured remotely whilst it is in-orbit, ensuring Azalea remains at the cutting edge of space technology to deliver future customer missions. The satellites will travel at approximately 7.6km per sec, orbiting the Earth every 90min.

Dr Paul Bate, the UK Space Agency’s CEO, said: “The successful launch of the Azalea constellation will increase the availability of advanced information from space, to help meet the fast-growing global demand from civil, national security and defence customers. The new satellites, which will use AI to convert raw data into actionable intelligence, represent a significant and welcome investment by BAE Systems in the UK space industry, which plays a vital role in driving economic growth and keeping us safe.”