The UK business Horizon Technologies is on schedule to launch its Amber-2 Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) satellite in mid-2025, according to a press release.
The satellite, which has successfully passed its Critical Design Review (CDR), is part of the UK Space Agency’s wider initiative to enhance maritime security by detecting vessels engaged in illicit activities, such as illegal fishing, drug smuggling, and sanction evasion.
The Amber-2 satellite, supported by a £1.2 million investment from the UK Space Agency, will be a key asset in the Royal Navy’s efforts to monitor ‘dark vessels’ — ships that turn off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) to evade detection.
“A satellite developed by the UK business Horizon Technologies has successfully completed its Critical Design Review (CDR), and is on schedule for launch in mid-2025, the UK Space Agency announced today.
The Amber-2 Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) Satellite will play a key role in detecting ‘dark vessels’ at sea, such as those involved in illegal immigration, illegal fishing activities, drug smuggling, ship-to-ship transfers of goods and evading sanctions. “
This project forms part of the broader Amber Programme, designed to meet the MDA needs of the Joint Maritime Security Centre (JMSC) in Portsmouth. The satellite’s launch is anticipated to improve the UK’s maritime security capabilities at a time when illegal activities at sea remain a serious concern.
However, while the satellite is advancing, it is important to recognise that this technology is only one part of a larger, developing market. John Beckner, CEO of Horizon Technologies, noted that “the RF Earth Observation market is developing in a path analogous to AIS tracking,” highlighting that while the technology shows promise, it is still evolving and will likely require a combination of terrestrial systems and space-based data.
The Amber satellites work by detecting radio frequency (RF) signals, enabling the identification of vessels even when their AIS is disabled. Matt Archer, Director of Launch at the UK Space Agency, highlighted the potential impact of Amber-2, stating that it will “play a pivotal role in safeguarding international waters from illegal activities.”
Nevertheless, given the complexity of global maritime security, the true effectiveness of a single satellite system in addressing these issues remains to be seen.
In addition to Amber-2, Horizon Technologies is progressing with the development of Amber-3, with a planned launch later in 2025.
Hi folks hope all is well.
It all sounds very well and is encouraging to see tech to help with illegal activities. However, with the current government I’d be surprised if it will be used against illegal migrants coming across the Channel? So far it appears there’s very little appetite for the authorities to stop illegal migrants.
Cheers
George
The headline gives the obvious thoughts of cross channel illegals. However, it is obvious that the governments actions there are all hot air and words until there is an actual real DETERRENT to people crossing. That applies to all parties. Which there isn’t as migrants know full well they are unlikely to be deported as the refuge and asylum charities will just block every move with legal challenges, just like what happened under the previous government. Creating fancy new border commands with new powers as the new HS is saying won’t do a thing either. And what is the point… Read more »
They already know where the cross-channel boats are. They are all intercepted. The immigration problems lie elsewhere.
Yes intercepted and bought here instead of taking them back🤬
F**king hell we are about to launch a low earth orbit SIGNIT/ELINT satellite able to track maritime radios from low earth orbit then we going to launch a constellation of them.
And people think we are s**t, who else on planet earth has that capability? Not even the USA has that and certainly not in a tactical domain.
No indication that these will be MoD owned. This is different from the ISTARI constellation too I believe? Assuming it survives the SDR.
On the Government website is specifically states that this is to meet the Royal Navy requirement
“The wider Amber™ Programme has been designed to meet the MDA requirements of the Royal Navy via the Joint Maritime Security Centre (JMSC) in Portsmouth.
The follow-on satellite Amber-3 is also progressing,”
It’s not part of ISTARI but it is a constellation and it will be used if not owned by the military.
Yes, I’d read all that. Was hoping the assets would be MoD owned.
( which I like, rather than COCO or COGO assets)supporting the military.
Maybe I’m missing something here but where did you read we were going to launch a constellation of them ?
On government press release, it says they are building AMBER 3 already
AMBER 1 blew up I think during a failed previous launch.
The Title wording is a bit misleading here as no mention of Illegal Immigration is made or explained in the article itself.
Paragraph 5. It is the former you mentioned.
Is this similar to bae systems Azalea cluster?