Programme
Space Domain Awareness
The Space Domain Awareness (SDA) programme strengthens the UK’s ability to monitor, understand and protect activity in Earth’s orbital environment. We support national priorities under the UK National Space Strategy and contribute to ESA’s Space Safety Programme by developing observational capability, advancing operational space‑weather services, and enabling the safe, sustainable use of space.
Illustration of solar radiation impacting satellites. Credit: ESA-P. Carril
Programme Aims
The Space Domain Awareness programme aims to build and sustain the UK’s capability to monitor and protect activity in Earth’s orbital environment. We focus on strengthening national space surveillance and tracking, advancing operational space‑weather monitoring and forecasting, and developing research, facilities and technologies aligned with the UK National Space Strategy and ESA’s Space Safety Programme. Our work provides a pathway for translating scientific innovation into operational space‑safety services.
Our work
Delivering capability in space surveillance, tracking and operational space‑weather services, ensuring the UK remains ready to respond to space‑environment hazards.
Space surveillance and tracking
Providing observational support to the UK National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC) through facilities at the Chilbolton Observatory. Our work enables improved orbital tracking, monitoring of resident space objects, and the development of next‑generation observation capabilities for the UK.
Operational space‑weather monitoring and forecasting
Building on the major outcomes of the Space Weather Innovation, Measurement, Modelling and Risk (SWIMMR) programme and supporting the Met Office and the academic community through a “research‑to‑operations‑to‑research” (R2O2R) model.
Future research and innovation pathways
Supporting emerging technologies - including advanced instrumentation such as quantum systems for space‑weather monitoring - into operational space‑safety use. We collaborate with external partners on technology upgrades to ensure innovation feeds directly into delivery capability.
Case Study
SWIMMR (Space Weather Instrumentation, Measurement, Modelling and Risk)
SWIMMR is a £20 million, four-year programme to improve the UK’s capabilities for space weather monitoring and prediction. A 2025 Frazer‑Nash impact study confirmed that the long‑running programme delivered a significant uplift to UK space‑weather capability. The programme strengthened national monitoring, modelling and forecasting tools, supporting resilience for satellites, infrastructure and operational services.
