The satellite, which has successfully passed its Critical Design Review (CDR), is part of the UK Space Agency’s wider initiative to enhance maritime security by detecting vessels engaged in illicit activities, such as illegal fishing, drug smuggling, and sanction evasion.
The Amber-2 satellite, supported by a £1.2 million investment from the UK Space Agency, will be a key asset in the Royal Navy’s efforts to monitor ‘dark vessels’ — ships that turn off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) to evade detection.
“A satellite developed by the UK business Horizon Technologies has successfully completed its Critical Design Review (CDR), and is on schedule for launch in mid-2025, the UK Space Agency announced today.
The Amber-2 Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) Satellite will play a key role in detecting ‘dark vessels’ at sea, such as those involved in illegal immigration, illegal fishing activities, drug smuggling, ship-to-ship transfers of goods and evading sanctions. “
This project forms part of the broader Amber Programme, designed to meet the MDA needs of the Joint Maritime Security Centre (JMSC) in Portsmouth. The satellite’s launch is anticipated to improve the UK’s maritime security capabilities at a time when illegal activities at sea remain a serious concern.
However, while the satellite is advancing, it is important to recognise that this technology is only one part of a larger, developing market. John Beckner, CEO of Horizon Technologies, noted that “the RF Earth Observation market is developing in a path analogous to AIS tracking,” highlighting that while the technology shows promise, it is still evolving and will likely require a combination of terrestrial systems and space-based data.
The Amber satellites work by detecting radio frequency (RF) signals, enabling the identification of vessels even when their AIS is disabled. Matt Archer, Director of Launch at the UK Space Agency, highlighted the potential impact of Amber-2, stating that it will “play a pivotal role in safeguarding international waters from illegal activities.”
Nevertheless, given the complexity of global maritime security, the true effectiveness of a single satellite system in addressing these issues remains to be seen.
In addition to Amber-2, Horizon Technologies is progressing with the development of Amber-3, with a planned launch later in 2025.
Source: Lisa West, UK Defence Journal
Image: Jacques Descloistres, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC
