On January 29, 2026, Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) and Oxford Space Systems (OSS) confirmed the successful in-orbit deployment of the Wrapped Rib Antenna aboard the CarbSAR In-Orbit Demonstration mission.
This milestone marks the first flight heritage for the OSS large deployable reflector, validating a multi-year development program funded through UK space industrialization initiatives.
Validating a High-Performance SAR Architecture
The CarbSAR mission was launched on January 11, 2026, via a SpaceX Falcon 9. Following initial commissioning, the antenna underwent a critical two-stage deployment sequence to reach its operational focal point. The success of this deployment demonstrates the maturity of the OSS deployable architecture, which is engineered to provide high-performance X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) from a stowage-efficient small satellite platform.
“The successful deployment is a major technical milestone,” stated Pete Ashworth, CTO of Oxford Space Systems. “It validates our engineering approach and demonstrates our ability to industrialize advanced deployable antenna technologies in the UK“.
Two-Stage Deployment Mechanics
The Wrapped Rib Antenna is designed to overcome the “stowage-to-performance” gap inherent in small satellite SAR missions. The deployment process consists of two distinct phases:
- Primary Reflector: The deployment of the metal mesh surface, which provides the large aperture necessary for high-resolution imaging.
- Secondary Mast: The extension of the secondary reflector mast to the precise focal point of the primary reflector.
This dual-deployment design allows the antenna to remain extremely compact during launch, fitting within the restricted volume of small satellite fairings while expanding to a size that rivals much larger traditional spacecraft once in orbit.
Strengthening the UK Space Industrial Base
The achievement reinforces the UK’s position as a leader in sovereign space technology. The antenna was entirely designed and manufactured at the Oxford Space Systems facilities in Oxfordshire, utilizing custom composite and metal mesh production lines.
“We’re proud to have partnered with Oxford Space Systems to flight-qualify this innovative technology,” said Andrew Cawthorne, Managing Director at SSTL. “This mission is a clear demonstration of the performance that can be achieved from compact satellite platforms”.
Path to Constellation Production
With flight heritage secured, Oxford Space Systems is poised to scale production of the Wrapped Rib Antenna for future commercial and government constellations. The performance data gathered from the CarbSAR mission will underpin the company’s ability to reliably produce batches of antennas for global satellite operators seeking advanced Earth observation capabilities.
