Once operational, Horizon Technologies’ Amber-2 Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) satellite will detect vessels involved in illegal immigration, illegal fishing activities, drug smuggling, ship-to-ship transfers of goods and sanction evasion.
The development of the satellite by the Reading headquartered company is supported by a £1.2m investment from the UK Space Agency. 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, with Horizon Technologies currently accepting industry-wide proposals from potential spacecraft/bus suppliers for the build, and a targeted launch date of late 2025.
Amber satellites work by detecting radio frequency (RF) signals enabling the identification of satphones and navigation radars, so when vessels engaged in illegal activities turn off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) they can still be tracked.
A single tower-mounted variant called AmberPersistent can collect RF signals (L/S/X band emitters) up to three million sq/km with real-time 24/7 coverage, which the UK Space Agency said is essential for tracking vessels carrying out illicit activities.
In a statement, Matt Archer, UK Space Agency director of launch said: “The successful progress of the Amber-2 satellite by Horizon Technologies demonstrates the UK’s leadership in advancing space-based solutions for global maritime security. By detecting hard-to-track vessels, Amber-2 will play a pivotal role in safeguarding international waters from illegal activities.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the satellite launch next year, and to continuing our collaboration with industry on cutting-edge technologies that deliver real-world benefits.”
The UK Space Agency added that space-based RF collection will be particularly effective for open-ocean detection, while shore-based systems can cover some signals/bands up to 1,000km, and provide real time persistent coverage within a nation’s Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs).
Horizon Technologies CEO John Beckner stated: “The RF Earth Observation market is developing in a path analogous to AIS tracking. The RF signals collection market will likely be a combination of terrestrial systems and space-based data. All you need is a secure coastal site, power, and an internet connection.”
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