Ilesa, 16 July 2025. – UK’s Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) has awarded Open Cosmos and Astroscale Ltd (Astroscale UK) a contract worth £5.15 million via BAE Systems as the Dstl Serapis Framework lead.
The contract intends to enhance understanding of space weather and improve space situational awareness (SSA). Open Cosmos will subsequently partner with Astroscale UK to design and build two near-identical Orpheus satellites that Astroscale UK will operate for the mission.
Likewise, the US Naval Research Laboratory, the University of Bath, and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd will develop the satellite’s payload to characterize the ionosphere. The satellites will consequently fly in formation to observe and collect critical SSA data using in-situ and remote sensing techniques, to enable faster space-based data acquisition.
As global reliance on space infrastructure grows, so do the threats from space weather, adversarial actions, and orbital congestion. As a critical step in strengthening the UK’s capabilities in space, the Orpheus mission consequently seeks to enhance human understanding of space weather and improve space situational awareness, advancing global initiatives toward a joint space architecture.
Commenting on the mission, Nick Shave, Managing Director of Astroscale UK, remarked, “The Dstl Orpheus mission is an important opportunity for Astroscale to demonstrate our capability to deliver innovative missions in the defense arena and in support of national security.”
Likewise, Rafel Jordà Siquier, founder and CEO of Open Cosmos, noted “Our advanced satellite solutions will provide the critical data necessary to understand the ionosphere and protect vital space infrastructure. This mission exemplifies the power of collaboration in driving innovation and ensuring the security of our space assets.”
The project will run for three years, concluding in 2028, and will cover the complete lifecycle of the mission, from design to launch and operations.
