UK to install £17.5m satellite monitoring system in Akrotiri
According to British media, the United Kingdom will move forward with plans to install a £17.5 million satellite monitoring facility in Cyprus, aimed at strengthening space surveillance and protecting critical military communications.
The project, known as Noctis-2, will involve the deployment of advanced optical systems, with the possibility of an infrared telescope, enabling continuous observation of geostationary orbit.
This “persistent stare capability” allows for constant tracking of satellites positioned approximately 36,000 kilometres above Earth.
The facility will be located in Cyprus but operated remotely from the RAF’s space operations squadron at RAF High Wycombe, with data transmitted to the UK’s national space operations centre to support monitoring and analysis.
British defence documents state the system is intended to address a “capability gap” in space surveillance, particularly as the number of satellites increases and operational risks become more complex.
Cyprus was selected due to the presence of British military infrastructure on the island, including RAF Akrotiri and Dhekelia, including clearer skies and proximity to the equator, which improve visibility of geostationary satellites.
The system is expected to enhance protection of the UK’s Skynet satellite communications network, which is used for secure military communications.
Officials say the technology will improve the detection and assessment of potential threats to these assets.
The Noctis-2 programme builds on the earlier Noctis-1 system developed in 2023, expanding monitoring capabilities across geostationary orbits.