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BBC News - UK space radar project initiated
The UK government is to kick-start an innovative project to fly radar satellites around the Earth, with an initial investment of £21m.
Radar spacecraft can see the planet's surface in all weathers, day and night.
It is hoped that a series of satellites could eventually be launched, enabling any place on Earth to be imaged inside 24 hours - a powerful capability.
The radar money is part of a £200m boost for science announced by the Chancellor in his Autumn Statement.
George Osborne's investment will be matched by industry.
Radar is one of the most useful tools in Earth observation because of its ability to track objects and events on the ground even when there is thick cloud.
The project being backed by government has been developed by Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), which specialises in building small, low-cost spacecraft, and its parent company, Astrium, which makes some of the biggest satellites in orbit today.
Beginning of the militrization of space ?
