Sovereign Capability in a Connected Space Age

Why Onshore RF Technology Matters for Next-Generation Satellite Constellations

By: Fin Farrelly at Filtronic

The rapid expansion of satellite constellations in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is reshaping the way the world connects, communicates, and conducts operations. What was once a niche segment of the space industry has become a critical layer of global infrastructure, supporting everything from broadband connectivity and environmental monitoring to defence communications and navigation resilience.

As these constellations scale in size and sophistication, attention is increasingly turning to the technologies that underpin them. Among the most critical are the radio frequency (RF) systems that enable satellites to transmit and receive vast volumes of data. From high-frequency amplifiers to complex transceiver assemblies, RF hardware forms the backbone of space-based connectivity.

In this context, the question of where and how this technology is developed and produced is gaining strategic importance. For the UK, the concept of sovereign capability in RF technology is becoming central to broader discussions around resilience and security, as well as long-term competitiveness in the connected space age.

The strategic significance of high-performance, low-latency in LEO systems

LEO constellations depend on being able to move data efficiently. However, the lower end of the spectrum has become increasingly congested. As a result, accessing higher-frequency millimetre-wave spectrum, including Q/V-band and W-band has become a useful means of moving above the noise and improving performance.

Each of those bands offer wide bandwidth availability, and high data-rate throughput, especially at high altitudes or in space, supporting advanced applications like satellite feeder links and high-resolution radar. While signals at these frequencies are still affected by atmospheric absorption, the effect does not increase as sharply as frequency increases. This allows longer-range links to be achieved with appropriate antenna gain and system design.

Operating at these frequencies of course requires highly specialised components. Amplifiers must deliver high efficiency and linearity under demanding conditions. Antennas must support precise beamforming and tracking. Systems must perform reliably in harsh thermal and radiation environments while meeting stringent size, weight, and power constraints.

Organisations including The European Space Agency (ESA), national regulators such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and international bodies including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) are all helping to enable the adoption of Q/V-band and other high-frequency technologies through technology programmes, spectrum regulation and international coordination. The aim is to secure a future where high-speed connectivity is ubiquitous, enabling a host of increasingly advanced use cases.

These requirements place advanced RF technology at the heart of system performance. Limitations at the component level can directly constrain overall capability, making RF engineering a critical enabler of next-generation constellations.

From global supply chains to trusted ecosystems

Historically, the supply chains supporting RF hardware have been global in nature. Different regions have developed strengths in semiconductor fabrication, packaging, assembly, and testing, leading to highly optimised and geographically dispersed production models.

While this approach has delivered efficiencies, it has also introduced dependencies. Recent geopolitical developments, coupled with a heightened focus on data security and critical infrastructure protection, have exposed the risks associated with such dependencies.

For space-based systems, many of which serve dual-use or defence-related purposes, these risks are particularly acute. Ensuring continuity of supply and maintaining control over sensitive technologies, in addition to safeguarding intellectual property are now priorities that must rank alongside cost and performance.

As a result, there is a growing emphasis on developing trusted, onshore capabilities. This does not imply a retreat from international collaboration, but rather a recalibration. One that balances global engagement with greater control over critical technologies.

Why sovereignty matters in the connected space age

The case for sovereign RF capability extends beyond supply chain resilience. It is closely linked to the strategic role that space now plays in national infrastructure.

Satellite constellations are now so integral to defence operations, emergency response, and economic activity that control of, and assured access to, the electromagnetic spectrum is increasingly viewed as being as strategically important as traditional domains such as land, sea, air and space. Nations and organisations need the confidence that communications will be reliable, with reduced susceptibility to interception, interference and jamming. In this context, maintaining domestic capability in key technology areas offers tangible benefits.

Onshore development and production provides greater assurance and trust, enabling closer oversight and stronger alignment with national security requirements. The proximity between design, manufacturing and system integration also enhances responsiveness, allowing programmes to adapt more quickly to changing requirements. This is particularly important right now given the fast-paced deployment cycles associated with LEO constellations. Furthermore, a locally anchored supply base improves resilience by reducing exposure to external disruptions and strengthening the domestic industrial base.

In passing, it should be noted that sovereignty does not require complete self-sufficiency. Rather, it reflects the ability to make informed, strategic decisions about where dependencies are acceptable and where domestic control is essential.

The UK’s position and opportunity

The UK is well positioned to play a meaningful role in this landscape. Northern England has already quietly become a powerhouse for advanced RF engineering that supports the aerospace and defence sectors worldwide. It has an established heritage in RF and microwave engineering, supported by strong academic institutions and a track record of innovation in defence and aerospace applications.

The country also benefits from capabilities in compound semiconductor technologies, including materials such as gallium nitride (GaN), which are essential for high-frequency, high-power RF applications. These capabilities are complemented by expertise in system integration, satellite design, and mission operations.

However, sustaining and extending this position is not guaranteed. The global environment is becoming more competitive with significant investment in space technologies across all major economies. At the same time, the pace of LEO deployment is accelerating, placing pressure on suppliers to deliver solutions at scale and at speed.

To remain competitive, the UK must continue to strengthen the link between its research base and industrial capability. This includes supporting the transition from prototype development to volume production, as well as ensuring that emerging technologies can be integrated into real-world systems.

Sovereignty increasingly extends beyond design expertise. It also encompasses the ability to industrialise advanced RF technologies at scale. As satellite constellations move from hundreds to thousands of spacecraft, manufacturing capability, packaging expertise and access to trusted allied supply chains become strategic differentiators in their own right.

Coordinating the conditions for growth

Policy frameworks must recognise the strategic role of RF technologies within the broader space ecosystem, ensuring that regulatory approaches support innovation while addressing security requirements. In parallel, targeted investment is needed to sustain and expand critical capabilities, particularly in semiconductor processes, advanced manufacturing, and testing infrastructure.

Industry collaboration is equally important. Closer links can accelerate development and reduce the time required to bring new technologies to market. This collaborative approach is especially valuable in a field as technically demanding as mmWave, where expertise is distributed across multiple domains.

There is also a role for international partnerships. The UK’s participation in collaborative programmes can provide access to markets and expertise, while reinforcing its position within trusted networks. The key is to engage selectively, ensuring that participation aligns with national priorities and preserves core capabilities.

A foundation for future innovation

As satellite constellations continue to evolve, the demands placed on RF technologies will only increase. Higher data rates, more complex architectures, and greater integration will require ongoing advances in design, materials, and manufacturing.

Securing a competitive future

The connected space age is redefining the role of satellites within global infrastructure. At the heart of this transformation sits advanced RF technology, quietly enabling the flow of information that underpins modern life.

By investing in sovereign capability today, the UK can help to ensure that it is not only a participant in this evolution, but a contributor to it. A strong domestic base in RF technology provides a platform for innovation that can enhance resilience and economic opportunity. Ensuring that critical RF capabilities are designed and built onshore is not about isolation but about balance. In an increasingly complex and contested environment, that balance will be key to sustaining both capability and competitiveness in the years ahead.