UK Space Command Successfully Launches First Military Satellite
Colleagues from Surrey Satellites Technology Limited watch the Space X Launch.
A UK satellite named Tyche has been successfully launched into space to support military operations. This satellite, created by UK Space Command, has the capability to capture daytime images and videos of the Earth’s surface.
Tyche will enhance the UK’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, crucial for military operations as demonstrated in the conflict in Ukraine. It is part of the Ministry of Defense’s space-based ISR program, aiming to launch a constellation of satellites by 2031.
These satellites will not only bolster military operations but also aid in natural disaster monitoring, mapping, environmental surveillance, and tracking climate change impacts globally. Tyche, developed by Surrey Satellites Technology Limited (SSTL), is the Ministry of Defense’s first fully owned satellite.
Minister Maria Eagle and UK Space Commander Major General Paul Tedman expressed their enthusiasm for the successful launch, highlighting Tyche’s significance in advancing science, technology, and national security.