The Oakhanger facility, owned by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), plays a key role in global satellite communications and tracking. It is the busiest ground station in the USSF Satellite Control Network, handling over 30,000 successful contacts each year while maintaining a performance success rate above 99%.
Serco has been a longstanding presence at Oakhanger, having provided operational support since the late 1970s. Since 2003, the company has delivered operations, maintenance, and site services at the facility, initially as part of the UK MOD’s Skynet programme.
Around 70 Serco personnel are currently stationed at Oakhanger, working across operations, maintenance, security, site support services, and programme management. The new contract will enable the continuation of these services, supporting mission-critical activities for the US Space Force.
Doug Umbers, Managing Director of Serco’s Defence business, expressed his enthusiasm for the contract extension. He highlighted the strong relationship with CACI and Five Rivers Analytics, as well as Serco’s expertise in delivering complex space operations for government customers.
The USSF’s Space Operations Command, specifically the 23rd Space Operations Squadron (23SOPS), oversees the Satellite Control Network. The squadron is responsible for telemetry, tracking, and commanding operations of various Department of Defense (DoD) and non-DoD satellites. Their role includes launch support, early orbit assistance, and tracking space objects to maintain an extensive catalogue of satellites.
Serco’s involvement in space operations extends beyond the UK, with active contracts in Europe and the United States. The company recently secured a contract to manage facility repairs and upgrades at Pituffik Space Base in Greenland. Serco also supports major space agencies such as the European Space Agency (ESA) and EUMETSAT, leveraging its expertise in ground segment infrastructure, spacecraft control, and data analysis.
