UK Launches First Military Satellite into Space

The UK government has successfully launched a satellite to support military operations called Tyche.

This is reported on the British government's website.

This is the first satellite of the UK Space Command that can take daytime images and videos of the earth's surface. It will enhance the UK's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.  

Tyche was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, USA, by SpaceX on a Falcon 9 reusable rocket as part of the Transporter 11 mission.

‘As the war in Ukraine has shown, the use of space is crucial for military operations. Tyche is the first satellite to be launched as part of the Ministry of Defence's space intelligence and surveillance programme, which envisages the creation of a constellation of satellites and supporting ground systems by 2031,’ the statement said.   

The government said that these satellites, in addition to supporting military operations, will contribute to other government tasks, including monitoring natural disasters, developing mapping information, monitoring the environment and tracking the effects of climate change around the world.  

The Tyche satellite was designed and developed in the UK under a contract between Defence Equipment & Support and Surrey Satellites Technology Limited (SSTL). It costs £22 million and is the first satellite to be wholly owned by the Ministry of Defence.

SSTL received the first signals from Tyche, which is comparable in size to a washing machine, a few hours after take-off, confirming a successful launch.

Tyche will operate in low Earth orbit for five years and will provide operational satellite imagery in support of the UK Armed Forces.  

As The Gaze previously reported, the UK Air Force is planning to build a radar station in Wales to track China and Russia's activities in outer space.