The 100kg spacecraft, roughly the size of an average household washing machine, carries a telescope and HD video camera, both of which have been adapted for a space environment and integrated into a custom-built framework.

The imaging system is designed to deliver high-resolution images and colour HD video clips with a swath width of 5km.

The RAF has collaborated with the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) chief scientific advisor, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, and the UK industry (Surrey Satellite Technology) to work jointly on the programme to ensure the delivery of high-quality imagery and 3D video footage from space.

The programme also focuses on enabling high-tech satellites to deliver video directly into the cockpit of the fighter aircraft.

This will help enhance situational awareness of the RAF pilots who are expected to receive the best imagery and data anywhere on Earth in real-time.

As set out in the Government’s Industrial Strategy, the UK Space Agency is also working together with industry to capture a 10% share of the global space market.

The Carbonite-2 will play a crucial role in the MOD’s understanding the potential for and shaping the RAF’s vision of an international constellation for the future. This could unlock new opportunities using a range of sensors and ground stations, which has the potential to support emerging crises and combat intensifying threats, giving the UK the opportunity to lead in the area with several close allies having already shown interest in the concept.

• Organization: MOD
• Object Name: DDC-20181122-468-005
• Supplemental Categories: Future, Satellite, Communications, Engineering, Equipment
• Keywords: UK Jobs, Industry, R & D, Research and Development, Future Equipment, Capability, Collaboration, Partnering, Projects, Manufacturing, Contractors, Contract, Supply, Defence Contractors, Defence Procurement, Electronics, Telecommunications, Systems, Computers, Engineering, Automation, Industry Partners, Science, Future, R&D, Technology, MoD, Ministry of Defence, RAF, Royal Air Force, UK Industry, Model, Caronite-2 Satellite, Satellite, Scale Model
• Country: UK