BAE Systems plans to launch a multi-sensor satellite cluster dubbed Azalea into low Earth orbit (LEO) in 2024. The constellation, known as “Azalea” will consist of four satellites which are collectively able to gather, analyse and communicate SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar), optical and RF signals. They will be able to collect and analyse data in-orbit using onboard machine learning.
The satellites, currently in development, will be used to gather information for military customers, the British aerospace and defense company announced. It also said the cluster will “boost the UK’s ability to understand the threats and hazards in, from and through space”.
Further to this it was announced that the Finish satellite manufacturer and operator, ICEYE, which already has expertise in the advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) area, will be helping to build the first SAR satellite. The other three satellites will be multi-sensor satellites from BAE Systems.
BAE Systems claims its cluster will make the process of transferring data to Earth, which can take several hours, more efficient by combining and analysing data in space.
Group Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Digital Intelligence business Dave Armstrong said: “The Azalea satellite cluster will process data in space to provide swathes of digital intelligence wherever it’s needed. The launch of Azalea in 2024 will be a major step forward for the UK’s sovereign space capability.”
A conceptual image of the Azalea cluster in space. Courtesy: BAE Systems.
