U.K. Signs Deal for Juno Surveillance Satellite to Boost Military Intelligence

The British Ministry of Defence (MOD) has entered a new £40 million contract to develop the Juno satellite, a project aimed at enhancing the U.K. Armed Forces' intelligence and surveillance capabilities.

This contract, signed with Surrey Satellite Technology, will provide British military personnel with access to surveillance data by 2027, furthering the MOD's space-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.

Equipped with imagery sensors, the Juno satellite will capture detailed daytime images of Earth's surface, enabling the U.K. military to monitor adversary activities effectively. Juno's development builds on the success of Tyche, U.K. Space Command’s first satellite, which launched in August 2024. Together, Tyche and Juno represent initial components in a larger MOD initiative, known as the ISTARI programme, to establish a constellation of surveillance satellites and supporting ground systems by 2031.

In addition to supporting military operations, these satellites will play a role in other critical areas. The Juno satellite will assist in natural disaster monitoring, environmental analysis, and tracking climate change impacts worldwide. This dual-purpose application aligns with the government’s strategy to leverage space technology for both defense and humanitarian purposes.