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The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s (Dstl) new satellite control ground station will support its first space mission following the launch of the Faraday-1 satellite. This mission will contribute towards international research collaborations to facilitate satellite operations between nations in support of wider defence science and technology goals in the space domain.

Manufactured by In-Space, Faraday-1 (also known as Prometheus-1 in the MOD community) will be launched from the Rocket Lab’s complex in Mahia, New Zealand, on 3 July, and orbit the Earth for a nominal period of three years to collect commercial data for industry partners.

Dstl will support operations of Faraday-1 to de-risk communication systems for future satellites, notably Prometheus 2, an international science and technology satellite mission manufactured by In-Space and utilising the latest Airbus systems for inter-satellite communications and high-rate data downlink. Lessons learnt by Dstl from Faraday-1 operations will be shared across the MOD space community and with international partners, to both address key technical challenges in preparation for collaborative operations of Prometheus 2 and build UK space capability and experience.

Mike O’Callaghan, Space Programme Manager for Dstl, the science inside UK national security, said: “This is a significant step for Dstl’s space operations. As well as investing in UK sovereign capability we will be sharing knowledge with our international partners to maximise the safe operation and security of our space assets.”

Tony Holt, In-Space’s CTO, said: “Utilising our Faraday-1 satellite, we’re able to offer a responsive, turnkey spacecraft service for our customers covering everything from design support through to operating the payload in orbit. We are delighted to be working with the world-leading teams at Dstl and Airbus in delivering the highly capable mission into orbit.”

Francis Kinsella, Senior Systems Engineer at Airbus said: “Faraday-1 will give us in-orbit validation of some innovative Airbus technologies. This reinforces our partnership approach of working with SMEs and government agencies to pursue innovative next generation space capabilities, to support and de-risk our space production and services businesses.”

My first real experience of Israel came when I was 18, and spent several weeks working in the kitchens at kibbutz Kfar HaNassi. My fellow kibbutzniks managed to survive my contribution to their diet. I took away a profound attachment to the state of Israel.

My many visits in recent years have left a deep impression – whether the solemnity and dignity of Yad Vashem, memorial to a unique crime in world history; the extraordinary gathering of world leaders for the funeral of an old friend, Shimon Peres; or cycling down Rothschild Boulevard with the Mayor of Tel Aviv, marvelling at the vibrancy of the White City.

I am a passionate defender of Israel. Few causes are closer to my heart than ensuring its people are protected from the menace of terrorism and anti-Semitic incitement. The UK has always stood by Israel and its right to live as any nation should be able to, in peace and security. Our commitment to Israel’s security will be unshakeable while I am Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

So it is with sadness that I have followed the proposals to annex Palestinian territory. As a life-long friend, admirer and supporter of Israel, I am fearful that these proposals will fail in their objective of securing Israel’s borders and will be contrary to Israel’s own long-term interests.

Annexation would put in jeopardy the progress that Israel has made in improving relationships with the Arab and Muslim world. I have never been more convinced that Israel’s interests overlap with those of our closest partners in the Arab world, including potential security cooperation against shared threats.

But however strong their interest in a different kind of relationship with Israel, annexation would inevitably set back these opportunities and constrain potential Arab partners. Israel’s enemies would seize upon it, and use it against those in the Middle East who want to see progress.

I want to see an outcome that delivers justice for both Israelis and Palestinians. The UK has often stood in a small minority at the UN in defending Israel against unwarranted and wholly disproportionate criticism.

Annexation would represent a violation of international law. It would also be a gift to those who want to perpetuate the old stories about Israel.

I profoundly hope that annexation does not go ahead. If it does, the UK will not recognise any changes to the 1967 lines, except those agreed between both parties.

There is another way. Like many Israelis, I am frustrated that peace talks have ended in failure. While I understand the frustration felt by both sides, we must now use the energy of this moment to once more come back to the table and strive to hammer out a solution. This will require compromise on all sides.

I do not underestimate the challenges in achieving lasting peace. So many efforts have been made. So many have paid the ultimate price, including of course Yitzhak Rabin.

But I still believe the only way to achieve true, lasting security for Israel, the homeland for the Jewish people, is through a solution that allows justice and security for both Israelis and Palestinians. I refuse to believe that this is impossible.

I welcome the commitment that President Trump has made to find a way forward. We will work tirelessly with the US – and other partners in the Arab world and Europe – to try to make peace a reality.

I am immensely proud of the UK’s contribution to the birth of Israel with the 1917 Balfour Declaration. But it will remain unfinished business until there is a solution which provides justice and lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.

The only way it can be achieved is for both sides to return to the negotiating table. That must be our goal. Annexation would only take us further away from it.

All of us interact with address and street information on a regular basis via electoral rolls, council tax, waste collections, insurance and utilities, school places and emergency responses. Accurate and standardised information is essential for these critical services to run effectively.

From today, Ordnance Survey (OS) MasterMap will be made available for free up to a threshold through a range of new application programming interface (API) services to support innovators, start-ups, and business.

The Geospatial Commission, working with Ordnance Survey, Geoplace, Improvement Service Scotland, and the Local Government Association, has released on open terms for the first time core location identifiers – Unique Property Reference Numbers (UPRNs), Unique Street Reference Numbers (USRN), and the Topographic Object Identifier (TOID) and their associated geometry.

Improved access to data is at the heart of the UK’s Geospatial Strategy.

In addition, HM Land Registry and Registers of Scotland have also today published their INSPIRE spatial polygon data, which will also better support the housing, land and planning sector to provide authoritative property extents.

Director of the Geospatial Commission, Thalia Baldwin, said:

Better data and improved access is crucial to our recovery and growth. Improving access to Ordnance Survey’s MasterMap, combined with the release of the core UPRN and USRN location data identifiers that form the golden thread links activity across sectors – from housing, transport and retail to emergency response, public health and environmental impacts – to support productivity and economic value.

Image Credit: K303/Shutterstock.com