"According to Britain's Ministry of Defence (MoD), it is working with the UK Space Agency on ways to protect orbiting satellites with technology to spot when lasers are being used to dazzle them and disrupt communications. Sensor technology now under development is to determine the characteristics of lasers, either in space or on the ground, and whether they pose a threat to the satellite, providing the military with information to protect and defend space systems and assets, it says."
"Satellites are a quiet success story for the UK, with the industry said to be worth £18.6 billion (about $25 billion) a few years ago, but the MoD also points out that many other industries rely on orbiting space hardware for communications, weather observations, and more. The MoD claims nearly 20 percent of UK GDP depends on spaceborne services. It claims that lasers can be used by adversaries to track the location of satellites, dazzle or blind them, or to intercept and interrupt communications."
"The sensors to detect possible laser attacks are being developed by the UK Space Command and the UK Space Agency, backed by about £500,000 ($672,000) in funding. "This joint project with UK Space Command marks an important step in developing the tools we need to detect and respond to emerging threats in space," said the UK Space Agency's Director of Missions and Capabilities, Harshbir Sangha. "By investing in cutting-edge sensor technology, we're helping to ensure that the UK remains resilient and ready in an increasingly contested space environ"
The UK is advancing defense projects including research to protect satellites from laser attack and a technology demonstrator for a jet-powered drone to operate from Royal Navy carriers. The Ministry of Defence and the UK Space Agency are developing sensors to spot when lasers are used to dazzle satellites and disrupt communications. The sensors will determine laser characteristics and whether they pose a threat, enabling protection of space systems. The satellite industry is valued at £18.6 billion and nearly 20 percent of UK GDP depends on spaceborne services. Adversaries can use lasers to track, dazzle, blind, or intercept communications, prompting development backed by about £500,000 in funding to improve detection and resilience.
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