Skynet 6A military satellite advances with successful module integration

Skynet 6A military satellite advances with successful module integration
by Sophie Jenkins
London, UK (SPX) May 21, 2025

The United Kingdom's next-generation military satellite, Skynet 6A, has reached a key development milestone with the successful integration of its communications and service modules. The spacecraft, assembled at Airbus facilities in Stevenage and Portsmouth, is designed to deliver secure communications to UK armed forces worldwide.

The integration took place at the National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF) in Harwell, Oxfordshire, which is operated by RAL Space under the Science and Technology Facilities Council. This marks the first instance of a large geostationary communications satellite being coupled entirely within the UK.

Airbus Defence and Space UK Chairman Ben Bridge highlighted the significance of the achievement, stating, "This significant development in the programme will allow Airbus to complete final baseline testing at our Stevenage site, followed by environmental testing back at NSTF later this year."

Skynet 6A is engineered to be a fully-hardened military satellite for the UK Ministry of Defence, offering three-and-a-half times the capacity of the current Skynet 5 satellites. It is expected to become operational in 2027.

Building on a 50-year legacy of sovereign satellite capability, the Skynet programme continues to evolve with the 6A satellite incorporating cutting-edge technologies to adapt to future operational demands.

Barry Austin, Skynet Programme Manager at Defence Digital, praised the collaboration: "Congratulations to Airbus Defence and Space, RAL Space and the MOD project team on achieving this impressive milestone. This marks a significant achievement for the Skynet 6 programme and the UK space sector as a whole. Once operational, Skynet 6A will enhance and be critical to our Armed Forces' military satellite communications capability and ensure they continue to receive world-class connectivity globally."

Earlier this year, Skynet 6A's antennas passed trials in NSTF's electromagnetic compatibility chamber, and the spacecraft is the first to undergo integration testing at the facility since it became operational. "Welcoming our first customers represents a significant achievement for the NSTF, and we are proud to support Airbus with the integration and testing of Skynet 6A," said Sean Stewart, Head of Environmental Test at RAL Space. "This milestone is a testament to the dedication of all involved and marks an exciting step for the UK as we prepare to host many more satellites of this scale."