Borealis is a necessary capability in an increasingly congested space environment.

CGI UK will deliver a new space domain awareness (SDA) command and control (C2) system for the UK military called Borealis under a five-year GBP65 million contract.

Situated in the National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC), Borealis will enable the UK military and UK Space Agency to better monitor and protect its critical satellites, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 7 March.

Initial operating capability is expected in May 2026, an MoD spokesperson informed DSEI.

Borealis does not have a full operating capability target, as it is an agile capability. The MoD also expects the requirements to develop as the space environment and threats change, the spokesperson said. 

The software-based system will support NSpOC, which develops and operates the UK’s space surveillance and protection capabilities. Military and civilian staff in “NSpOC provide a world-leading space domain awareness service, underpinning the UK’s understanding of what is happening in space. The information and assessments derived through Borealis will be essential to support and safeguard the operation of critical UK and allied satellites”, the spokesperson added. 

According to the announcement, Borealis will involve compiling and processing all data related to the UK’s space assets and its allies. 

Speaking about the programme in the announcement, the Commander of UK Space Command Major General Paul Tedman said: “The use of space is crucial for our economy, prosperity, security, and defence, but assured access to space is becoming increasingly contested by adversaries and congested by users and debris. Therefore, it is imperative that we know what is happening in space”. 

This programme is an important capability for assuring the military’s access in space, especially in an increasing congested space environment. 

This article has been updated with new information.