Episode 13: Back to the Basics: What's in a Satellite?

Richard Franklin, Managing Director of Airbus Defence and Space UK, explains why satellites are essentially flying computers, and how their inner workings determine their function and lifespan.

In this episode of War in Space, Richard talks to us about how satellites manoeuvre and how they can be protected from everyday interference, as well as deliberate jamming and cyber attacks. With space playing an increasingly important role in defence, we ask: what are the remaining obstacles to achieving multi-domain integration?

Om Podcasten

Space is becoming increasingly congested, contested and competed over. It has never been so easy – or so cheap – to launch a satellite into orbit. With space activity proliferating, its impact on national security has grown too: space assets are becoming vulnerable and space debris is becoming increasingly dangerous. War in Space is a series of interviews with experts in space and defence that will analyse the intersection of space and national security, unravelling the technical jargon that so often accompanies these discussions and explaining why space matters for our everyday lives and security. The views or statements expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by RUSI employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of RUSI.