Harwell and Guildford, UK – Oxford Space Systems and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) today announced the successful deployment in orbit of Oxford Space Systems’ Wrapped Rib Antenna on SSTL’s CarbSAR in-orbit demonstration mission. This deployment is a major milestone for Oxford Space Systems, providing flight legacy for its first large deployable reflector.
As previously announced, the CARBSAR demonstration mission was scheduled to launch on January 11, 2026, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Following launch and initial commissioning activities, the antenna has now been successfully deployed in orbit, validating a multi-year development program undertaken by the Oxford Space Systems team covering engineering design, analysis, manufacturing and ground-based testing.
This achievement represents the first in-orbit deployment of Oxford Space Systems’ wrapped rib antenna and reflects the maturity of its innovative deployable architecture. The antenna was designed, manufactured and assembled at Oxford Space Systems’ facilities in Oxfordshire, which include composite and metal mesh production facilities and a clean room for assembly, integration and testing. The antenna enables high-performance X-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) capability from a compact, storage-efficient configuration, supporting advanced Earth observation missions from small satellite platforms. Antenna deployment occurs in two stages; First, the metal mesh primary reflector surface, followed by the secondary reflector mast positioned at the center point of the reflector. It is this dual deployment design that enables an extremely storage efficient design for the wrapped rib antenna.
Pete Ashworth, Chief Technology Officer, Oxford Space Systems:
“The successful deployment of the wrapped rib antenna in orbit is a major technical milestone for Oxford Space Systems. It validates our engineering approach and demonstrates our ability to develop and industrialize advanced deployable antenna technologies in the UK. This achievement builds on valuable flight legacy, strengthens our confidence as we move towards future missions and mass production, and demonstrates the expertise of our engineering and manufacturing teams and the strength of our collaboration with mission partners.” Show.”
Andrew Cawthorne, Managing Director, SSTL:
“The successful deployment of the wrapped rib antenna is a significant milestone for the CarbSAR mission and a clear demonstration of the performance that can be achieved from compact satellite platforms. We are proud to partner with Oxford Space Systems to deliver this innovative technology to flight-qualification and we look forward to building on this legacy for future SAR and Earth observation missions.”
This deployment provides Oxford Space Systems with valuable in-orbit legacy and performance data, further strengthening the company’s position as a leading UK provider of advanced deployable antennas. This legacy underpins ongoing and future programs for government and commercial customers in the UK and international markets and supports the continued industrialization of large-scale antenna production.
About Oxford Space Systems
Oxford Space Systems is a UK venture capital-backed, development-stage space technology business founded in 2013 with the goal of becoming the global leader in space deployable antennas. Based in Oxfordshire, with facilities at Harwell Campus and Abingdon that are highly optimized for composites and metal mesh manufacturing, Oxford Space Systems can reliably batch produce antennas for customers’ satellite constellation programs in a range of products. With customers located across all geographies, the company is growing through exports and bringing innovation to the global space sector.
About Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL)
Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), based in Guildford, United Kingdom and owned by Airbus Defense and Space, has been at the forefront of small satellite innovation for over four decades and 76 satellite missions. With a strong reputation for reliability and cutting-edge technology, SSTL specializes in the design and construction of small satellite platforms, customer training programs and entire satellite missions.
