The UK government has funded new sensor technology to detect and assess laser threats to critical national satellites, aiming to safeguard services that underpin the economy and defence. The project, announced on 3 October 2025, is a joint effort by UK Space Command (UKSC) and the UK Space Agency (UKSA), with around £500,000 allocated as an initial investment under UKSA’s Unlocking Space for Government programme. The official announcement is available via the Ministry of Defence and UK Space Agency.
What the sensors will do
The development focuses on onboard sensors able to identify lasers directed at satellites from the ground or from space. The system is designed to determine the characteristics of detected laser activity and assess whether it poses a threat, enabling faster protective measures for UK and allied spacecraft.
- Detect laser illumination events targeting military and civilian satellites.
- Characterise the source environment (space-based or ground-based) and signal properties at a mission-relevant level.
- Provide threat assessment data to support protective actions and space domain awareness.
Why it matters
Lasers can be used by adversaries to track satellite positions, dazzle or blind sensors, and disrupt communications. The UK estimates that nearly 20% of national GDP relies on satellite-enabled services, making resilience in orbit a priority for both government and industry.
Satellite capabilities underpin daily life and critical national functions, including:
- Communications and secure data links
- Money transfers and financial timing
- Navigation and positioning
- Emergency services coordination
- Weather forecasting and environmental monitoring
Programme and policy context
The project is the first allocation from UKSA’s Unlocking Space for Government programme, which is intended to apply space capabilities to strengthen public services and national security as part of the government’s Plan for Change. It follows the Strategic Defence Review, which elevated the space domain’s role in warfighting, infrastructure protection, and economic resilience.
Economic and industrial impact
The announcement aligns with a broader drive to position defence as a contributor to growth. According to government figures, the aerospace and defence sectors added over £42 billion to the UK economy in the last year, with approximately 443,000 people directly employed across the country.
Outlook
As counterspace threats evolve, rapid detection and attribution of laser activity are expected to become a key layer of satellite protection. The UKSC–UKSA collaboration indicates a pathway toward integrating space-based sensing for threat awareness, with the goal of preserving the continuity of services and supporting allied space operations in a more contested environment.
