Astroscale UK wins 15,000,000 GBP MoD contract for LEDA

Astroscale UK, a UK-based subsidiary of Astroscale, has won a Ministry of Defence contract for Project LEDA. The multi-year contract has been signed, with Astroscale UK serving as prime contractor.

Astroscale UK is a UK-based subsidiary of Astroscale, a Japanese space technology company. It is the prime contractor for LEDA after winning the UK MoD contract.

The contract value is recorded as 15,000,000 GBP. The facts also list euro amounts of 17,900,000 EUR and 18,000,000 EUR.

The contract is multi-year and has been signed. Details of the services are being withheld at the customer's request.

LEDA is described as a new and secretive in-space defence programme. It is presented as part of the UK's permanent pathway for understanding orbital warfare.

The programme will study how spacecraft could be used against RPO threats. RPO involves manoeuvring spacecraft close to other objects in orbit. Such operations can monitor, threaten or interfere with spacecraft.

LEDA involves the manufacture, launch and operation of a spacecraft. Its launch date, intended capabilities and mission architecture are undisclosed.

Astroscale has warned that the UK risked falling behind in space control capabilities and has called for additional investment in RPO capabilities.

The facts also cite a Russian military satellite, Kosmos 2612, conducting manoeuvres around ICEYE-X36, a commercial radar imaging satellite operated by ICEYE, at a distance of 500 metres.

For readers tracking the lunar industry, the contract is notable because it funds work on countering RPO threats. The facts define RPO as manoeuvring spacecraft close to other objects in orbit, and such operations can monitor, threaten or interfere with spacecraft.

The facts also show Astroscale warned that the UK risked falling behind in space control capabilities and called for additional investment in RPO capabilities. This is relevant to readers tracking space control capabilities.