£175M Network Revamps HM Coastguard, Telent
A transformative £175 million communications network has been launched, significantly bolstering the operational capabilities of His Majesty’s (HM) Coastguard. The new network, which connects 163 remote radio sites across 11,000 miles of UK coastline, is now fully operational, ensuring a robust response to thousands of distress calls from the UK’s waters.
The first phase of the installation, which began in December 2020, integrated full-fibre and microwave technologies to enhance the Coastguard’s search and rescue operations. Key sites such as Lee-on-the-Solent, Crystal Palace, Humber, Bridlington, and Brighton Marina were among the first to transition to this upgraded network.
Jo Gretton, CEO of Telent, commented on the significance of the project: “The reliable digital connection and increased resilience provided by this network will greatly support HM Coastguard’s life-saving search and rescue missions. Our ongoing partnership, which began in 2010, has evolved significantly, and we are proud to deliver a network that will serve the Coastguard’s needs for years to come.”
The upgraded network covers the entire UK coastline, including Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and England. As all 163 remote sites are now connected, Telent is responsible for providing a fully managed service, including monitoring, maintenance, and technical updates, ensuring continued high performance and reliability of the network.
Bright Ascension Partners with ERETS
Bright Ascension Ltd, a leading space software technology provider based in Scotland, has announced a new partnership with ERETS Space, a UK startup specializing in in-space debris removal. This collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding, marks a significant milestone for Bright Ascension, enhancing its international presence and reinforcing its commitment to innovation in the space industry.
ERETS Space, which has an R&D division in Australia, aims to leverage Bright Ascension’s advanced space software technology to establish a Value-Added Reseller (VAR) partnership in the region. This strategic alliance not only broadens Bright Ascension’s footprint in the Australian market but also supports its vision of fostering global cooperation to tackle key challenges in space.
The partnership aligns with Bright Ascension’s Software and Integration Partner Programme, designed to expand its HELIX suite and build collaborations with commercial entities across the space sector. This initiative targets both software and hardware technology providers, creating new business opportunities and driving revenue growth.
Bright Ascension is renowned for its innovative off-the-shelf software solutions for space-based services, both on spacecraft and on the ground. The new agreement underscores the company’s dedication to advancing space technology and expanding its global influence.
Spaceport Cornwall, Newquay, and Wholeship Join Forces
Spaceport Cornwall and Cornwall Airport Newquay have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Wholeship Ltd, the operator of the National Drone Hub at Predannack, near Helston. This collaboration aims to position Cornwall as Europe’s leading Future Air and Space hub by integrating the expertise and facilities of all three sites.
The partnership is set to advance Cornwall’s ambitions to become a central player in both crewed and uncrewed air and space technologies. It will leverage over 5,500 square kilometres of segregated airspace for flight trials and operational testing of sub-scale air systems at the National Drone Hub. This will support Spaceport Cornwall in preparing for future operational flights from Newquay.
Key goals of the consortium include influencing future airspace regulations with partners such as the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Department for Transport (DfT) and exploring potential collaborations with the UK industry and Ministry of Defence (MoD). The MoU also envisions showcasing Cornwall’s comprehensive air and space capabilities to prospective clients and customers.
Ross Hulbert, Head of Engagement at Spaceport Cornwall, commented on the partnership: “This collaboration with Wholeship Ltd represents a significant step forward, providing the essential facilities, skills, and operational capabilities needed for Cornwall to lead the future of flight in Europe.”
ALL.SPACE Terminals Certified by SES, Hydra Launched
ALL.SPACE, headquartered in Reading, UK, has announced that its satellite terminals have received certification from SES, a global leader in satellite connectivity and content services. This certification allows ALL.SPACE to support SES’s Ka-band GEO satellites and the MEO O3b network, enhancing its ability to deliver reliable connectivity across space, land, air, and sea, particularly for the defence sector.
The news was highlighted during TechNet Augusta 2024, hosted by the Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association International (AFCEA), where ALL.SPACE showcased its new product, Hydra. Hydra is designed to enhance resilience in GEO, MEO, and LEO satellite operations by enabling simultaneous data transmission to two satellites and doubling terminal capacity to 250 MHz.
The certification and the Hydra product come at a time when the military satellite technology market is expanding, with expectations of an 8.5% growth by 2028. This growth is driven by increased global security concerns and the need for advanced surveillance, communication, and data transfer capabilities.
Paul McCarter, COO of ALL.SPACE commented: “This certification underscores our commitment to innovation and sets a new benchmark in satellite communications. Hydra’s capability to provide simultaneous connectivity across GEO, MEO, and LEO orbits will offer unparalleled solutions to our clients. We are thrilled to present Hydra at TechNet Augusta 2024 and believe it will significantly advance technology solutions for the defence sector.”
Astute Systems’ GXA-1 to Debut at DVD2024
Astute Systems will showcase its NVIDIA-based GXA-1 computer for advanced military autonomy at DVD2024, scheduled for September 18-19, 2024, at UTAC Millbrook, Bedfordshire. This marks the GXA-1’s European debut, presenting a significant opportunity to engage with potential UK defence sector customers.
Engineered for SWaP-sensitive (Size, Weight, and Power) platforms, the GXA-1 is designed to withstand the extreme conditions of military operations, including extreme temperatures, moisture, vibration, and shock. It offers reliable performance in harsh environments and is built on the NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin Industrial SoM, delivering AI performance of 248 TFLOPS.
The GXA-1 provides features including dual M.2 M key SSD for mass storage, a 10 Gigabit Ethernet data plane port, and multiple legacy analogue inputs suitable for DVE (Degraded Visual Environment) cameras. It supports both Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) and Modified Off-The-Shelf (MOTS) systems, catering to various deployment needs.
Ross Newman, Founder of Astute Systems, said: “We believe the GXA-1 represents the best solution for autonomous military systems and deployment in extreme environments.” Pre-qualification units and developer kits are available for those interested in early adoption.
Astute Systems specializes in high-performance, rugged computing solutions for defence. Their GXA-1 computer, featuring NVIDIA technology, is designed for advanced autonomy and operates reliably in harsh environments. The company offers both standard and customized systems for military applications.
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