Overview
The UK ranks as the third-largest satellite operator by country, primarily because OneWeb's satellites are registered and licensed in the UK and the network is run from London. OneWeb has been owned by France's Eutelsat Group since 2023; the UK government, which helped rescue OneWeb from bankruptcy in 2020, holds a special share in it and about 11% of Eutelsat. For a comparison with SpaceX's constellation, see Starlink vs OneWeb.
Key Assets
OneWeb (Eutelsat): A 648-satellite LEO broadband mega-constellation at 1,200 km altitude, now owned by the Eutelsat Group. 440 next-generation replacement satellites on order. See OneWeb Tracker.
Inmarsat: A pioneer in mobile satellite communications, now part of Viasat. Inmarsat's GEO fleet provides maritime, aviation, and government communications globally.
MOD/Military: The UK Ministry of Defence operates Skynet military communications satellites in GEO.
Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL): A world leader in small satellite manufacturing, based in Guildford.
UK Space Sector
The UK Space Agency supports a growing domestic space industry. The SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland is expected to host the UK's first vertical orbital launches, with multiple providers targeting flights in 2026. The UK is also a key member of the European Space Agency and contributes to programmes like Galileo and Copernicus.