The UK’s New Space Radar Can Detect Football-Sized Threats From 22,000 Miles Away

The UK is advancing its space defense capabilities with the development of a new radar system in Pembrokeshire that can detect football-sized objects from 22,000 miles away. The Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (Darc) project will see the construction of 27 radar dishes, each towering 20 meters tall, on the St Davids peninsula. These advanced radars, part of the Aukus defense partnership between the UK, US, and Australia, are designed to monitor deep space activities and provide detailed intelligence on satellites.

The Darc project is seen as essential to national security by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), especially as space gets more crowded. The radar system will monitor targets as far away as 22,000 miles, which is equivalent to the geostationary orbit’s range. This project is essential since it is anticipated that by 2030, there will be 60,000 satellites, up from about 9,000 at present. The project’s significance was emphasized by UK Defence Secretary John Healey, who said that it will not only create jobs but also be essential to future defense plans. “Space is essential to our everyday lives. This new radar program will help safeguard our space assets with our closest allies, while also improving our awareness of deep space.”

Despite its strategic importance, the project faces strong opposition from local residents. The movement “Parc Against Darc” has emerged, denouncing the radar installation as a threat to health, tourism, and the local landscape. This echoes a 1990 campaign that successfully halted a similar project.

The MoD has promised to interact with the community in response, planning public awareness sessions and carrying out an environmental impact assessment. At least 100 employment at Cawdor Barracks will be secured by the radar system, which is expected to be operational by 2030, subject to safety and environmental reviews.