Agency
01/04/2026
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Three Scottish-built CubeSats, designed to demonstrate optical communications and the operation of a new satellite constellation, have launched into space.
Developed in Glasgow by Spire Global and AAC Clyde, the spacecraft are backed by the UK Space Agency through a European Space Agency Pioneer Partnership Project, an initiative that helps emerging UK space firms become new mission providers.
Mission SaaS CubeSat integrated with its deployment system
The CubeSats were lofted into orbit on 30 March aboard the SpaceX Transporter-16 mission, sharing a ride with several other satellites and one payload supported by ESA.
One of the three CubeSats assembled in Scotland, mission SaaS from Spire Global UK, was launched to demonstrate laser communications between satellites, addressing data latency challenges for the benefit of aviation and maritime activities, as well as weather and space-weather forecasting services.
Once validated, the technology is envisioned to enable near real-time data delivery across satellite constellations.
The other two Scottish-built CubeSats form part of VIREON™, a new constellation from AAC Clyde Space designed to support decision-making in agriculture, forestry and environmental management. Developed in collaboration with several British partners, the satellites represent the first in-orbit demonstration of the UK’s emerging high-volume, low-cost satellite production and operations capability.
Henny Sands, Head of Telecommunications at the UK Space Agency, said: “This Transporter-16 launch marks an important step forward for the UK’s ambitions in next-generation satellite communications. By supporting both breakthrough optical technologies and high-volume production methods, we are enabling British companies to lead in the markets that will define the future of global connectivity.”
You can read more about the Scottish-built CubeSats and the other ESA-backed satellites launched as part of the Transporter-16 mission on the Connectivity and Secure Communications pages of esa.int.
Mission SaaS and the VIREON™ CubeSats were developed as an ESA Pioneer Partnership Project within the agency’s programme of Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES).
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