As the world becomes increasingly dependent on satellites for communication, navigation and national security, a new generation of threats has emerged in orbit. From hostile jamming to manoeuvrable counterspace weapons, the risks to space infrastructure are rising sharply. Shield Space, a UK based defence startup, is positioning itself at the centre of this challenge. The company has secured new funding to accelerate its mission of protecting satellites through autonomous, AI powered defence systems.
A £2 Million Funding Boost for a First Orbital Test Flight
Shield Space has raised two million pounds in fresh investment to support preparations for its first orbital demonstration mission. The funding round was led by the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II through Mercia Ventures, with participation from Twin Path Ventures, ROI Ventures and P3A Ventures.
The capital will be used to progress the development of the company’s autonomous guidance technology, establish new premises in Lincoln and expand its team as it moves toward real world in orbit testing.
Growing Risks to Satellites and National Infrastructure
Satellites have become essential components of national and commercial infrastructure. They enable internet access, television broadcasting, encrypted military communications, climate monitoring and global positioning systems. Yet alongside their rising importance, the number of threats in orbit has escalated sharply.
Incidents of satellite jamming have increased in recent years and security specialists have warned of growing interest from hostile actors in disrupting or damaging strategic space assets. New counterspace systems in orbit, including manoeuvrable satellites capable of approaching or interfering with others, have emerged as a major concern. The expanding cloud of space debris presents an additional persistent hazard.
Shield Space was founded in 2025 to provide a more responsive and secure way for satellites to defend themselves in an increasingly contested orbital environment.
Autonomous AI Systems for Real Time Satellite Protection
The company is developing autonomous AI driven guidance systems that allow satellites to sense, assess and respond to threats without waiting for human operators on Earth. Today, most satellite manoeuvres still rely on manual ground based instructions, a process that can be slow due to limited communication windows and delayed data.
Shield Space’s technology is designed to give spacecraft greater situational awareness and the ability to reposition themselves rapidly when they detect signs of danger, whether from hostile interference, suspicious proximity or collision risks.
Chief executive Graeme Ritchie describes this capability as essential for nations that want to maintain sovereign space operations. He notes that modern life depends heavily on space based systems and adversaries increasingly exploit the long response times associated with manual satellite control. Shield Space aims to give the UK, NATO and allied partners the tools to operate more decisively in contested orbital environments.
Strengthening the UK’s Position in Space Security
The company’s new investment arrives at a pivotal moment for the UK space sector, which is expanding its focus on defence, resilience and sovereign capabilities. Shield Space plans to use the funding to establish new operational facilities in Lincoln, an area already home to several aerospace and defence organisations.
Expanding the team will help accelerate development of its autonomous guidance platform, refine the onboard AI and prepare for an orbital test flight that will demonstrate the system’s capabilities in real operating conditions.
Toward Safer and More Resilient Space Operations
As more nations and commercial operators rely on satellites, the need for autonomous protection systems continues to grow. Shield Space’s work represents a new direction for space security, where spacecraft can react in real time to threats rather than depending solely on human decision making.
With its latest round of funding, the company is moving closer to validating its technology in orbit and shaping the next generation of secure, resilient satellite operations.
