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Astroscale UK completes CDR for MoD 'Orpheus' cubesats to boost UK Space Domain Awareness

Astroscale UK has completed the critical design review for the Ministry of Defence’s Orpheus mission, clearing detailed design for two cubesats due to launch next year. The satellites will collect space‑weather data and track objects in LEO to strengthen UK Space Domain Awareness and orbital resilience.

Discovered 2026-04-07T22:59:44.420199-07:00 | 2026-04-07T22:59:44.420199-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • CDR clears detailed design for two MoD Orpheus cubesats, now on track for launch next year to provide space‑weather monitoring and LEO object tracking — a near‑term increase in UK Space Domain Awareness.
  • Orpheus expands Astroscale UK’s defence and on‑orbit services footprint following its ESA IRUS Phase A award (Astroscale UK IRUS design work) (source:f96a0e2a-2624-4d56-955d-85c01264f1e8) and complements its commercial on‑orbit partnerships (source:c24d8a7e-0657-4a19-b914-b56d3bc18996).

Reported By

exterrajsc.com defenceonline.co.uk SpaceWatch Africa Satellite Evolution images.ctfassets.net SpaceNews.com
Sources Tracked
7
First Seen
2026-04-07T22:59:44.420199-07:00
Latest Update
2026-04-13T02:14:29.232563-07:00
Coverage
Space

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