(Commonwealth_UK) The United Kingdom and Canada have announced a collaborative effort on the Redwing microsatellite mission, focused on enhancing Space Domain Awareness (SDA). Scheduled for launch in 2027, this initiative aims to improve the tracking of objects in congested orbits, utilizing advanced sensors and providing near real-time responses to evolving space events.
Redwing, approximately the size of a small washing machine, will be operated by the Department of National Defense’s science and technology organization, Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC). A key component of this mission is the deployment of a smaller nanosatellite, dubbed Little Innovator in Space Situational Awareness (LISSA). This nanosatellite will carry a specialized payload developed by the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), under the auspices of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and UK Space Command.
Dr. Gemma Bagheri, Dstl’s Space Research and Development Programme Manager, emphasized the importance of this collaboration: “As space becomes increasingly congested, we must adapt to new and emerging threats. Our partnership with Canada will enhance our ability to characterize objects in orbit and safeguard our mutual interests.”
LISSA, comparable in size to a cereal box, will feature a primary payload consisting of an experimental short-wave infrared (SWIR) camera developed by Dstl. Both Redwing and LISSA will operate in a sun-synchronous low Earth orbit, approximately 575 kilometers above the Earth, maintaining a separation of up to 200 kilometers. The mission will particularly focus on monitoring the South Pole, where the brightness of the Antarctic ice sheet can obscure the identification of orbital objects. Given that space surveillance in this region is less comprehensive than in the North, the findings from Redwing will provide information for future strategies of space observation.
This initiative represents a significant opportunity for both nations to collaborate on developing prototype infrastructure and data processing frameworks. Major General Paul Tedman, Commander of UK Space Command, noted the importance of international cooperation in advancing space capabilities: “The Redwing and LISSA mission exemplifies the benefits of collaborative innovation in space, which will ultimately enhance our ability to monitor and identify objects in orbit.” The project will be executed by Magellan Aerospace, responsible for designing, constructing, and operating both the Redwing microsatellite and LISSA nanosatellite, with the latter being developed in partnership with the University of Manitoba. Bornea Dynamics has been contracted by Dstl to create and validate the SWIR camera payload hardware.
Scott McLelland, DRDC Director of Research and Development for the Defend North America strategic focus area, highlighted the need for ongoing innovation in response to the evolving space domain: “The space environment is dynamic and requires that space-faring nations stay ahead in understanding security challenges. We are excited about Dstl’s involvement in the Redwing mission, which will strengthen the defense space programs of both Canada and the UK.”
