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UK EYES A
(SKYNET IV Stage 2) are planned to be launched in 1995 and 1997 in order to maintain the existing coverage based upon 1°/6°E.
A new satellite project (SKYNET V) is
planned for about 1999 onwards but is as yet undefined. It is expected to cover essentially the same areas, though the coverage might be extended to the north and south by using displaced geostationary orbits.
b. The UK has access to US, NATO and potentially other nations' satellites, but access is controlled by the
authority owning the satellite and agreement to UK use for operations cannot be relied upon. The unique ability of SATCOM to provide the capacity needed to meet the increasing demands makes it highly desirable that the UK
maintain its independent SATCOM capability and this is likely to remain the policy (). The currently planned capability should provide the space segment capacity to
meet foreseeable needs but does not provide worldwide
coverage. Coverage could be extended by adding to the programme a series of low earth orbit satellites giving
intermittent coverage of other areas of interest. It is
possible for such satellites to be launched on demand to
meet unforeseen contingencies, but the costs of
maintaining such satellites in readiness, together with the lack of an independent UK launching capability, make this an unattractive option. Access by military users to
the commercial INMARSAT system is also permitted by international agreement, provided the use is for humanitarian purposes. This system could thus be used for disaster relief, evacuations and similar operations.
Light weight transportable earth stations are available
commercially. SF have their own light weight SATCOM
terminals for use with military satellites and this
capability should also be retained and developed.
'D/DCISS (C) 24/3/3/4 dated 28 Nov 88
Policy (draft).
MOD Space Communications
anh.1s2
H-3
UK EYES A SECRET