The Far Field Antenna Test Range, part of the DISC facility, provides the UK with a facility which replaces the UK’s capability that was previously available at Cobham until December 2015.

The facility is located on the Harwell campus and offers a 400-metre antenna test range that can be used for the development, characterisation and type approval of satellite communications antenna for satellite telecommunications networks. The range offers the capability to test satellite communication bands C, Ka, Ku and X, helping satellite communication terminal manufacturers develop and test new products.

This UK capability is already attracting interest from international companies and we believe in time will draw major satellite manufacturers to Harwell, generating new opportunities for us and the wider Harwell and space community.