Shield Space, a defence technology startup developing systems to protect satellites
from signal jamming and other threats, has raised £2 million to support its
first orbital test flight. The round was led by the Midlands Engine Investment
Fund II via Mercia Ventures, with participation from Twin Path Ventures, ROI
Ventures, and P3A Ventures.
Space
assets are widely regarded as critical national infrastructure, supporting
services such as communications and navigation. At the same time, incidents of
satellite jamming have increased in recent years, alongside concerns about
direct attacks by hostile actors. Additional risks include the rising number of
counterspace systems in orbit and the growing volume of space debris.
Founded
in 2025, Shield Space is developing autonomous, AI-driven guidance systems that
allow satellites to detect potential threats and manoeuvre to safety without
requiring intervention from ground-based teams. This approach is intended to
address growing risks in orbit, where response times are often constrained by
reliance on manual control from Earth.
Graeme Ritchie, CEO of Shield Space, said that space infrastructure underpins many
aspects of modern life and that adversaries are increasingly seeking to take
advantage of uncertainty and slow response times in orbit:
Our
ambition is to give the UK, NATO and its allies sovereign space capabilities to
operate decisively in contested environments.
The new funding
will support Shield Space’s next stage of development, including preparations
for its first orbital test flight.
The company plans to use the capital to
advance its autonomous AI guidance technology, establish new premises in
Lincoln, and expand its team, strengthening its operational capabilities as it
moves toward in-orbit testing.