U.K. Space Command Launches First Military Satellite

U.K. Space Command launched its first military satellite 'Tyche' on August 17 to provide crucial space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).

“Tyche will provide essential intelligence for military operations as well as supporting wider tasks across government,” said Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle.

Named Tyche, the satellite is U.K. Space Command’s first to capture daytime images and videos of the Earth’s surface. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has underscored the critical role of space in military operations. Tyche is the first satellite launched under the Ministry of Defence’s space-based ISR program, which aims to deliver a constellation of satellites and supporting ground systems by 2031.

These satellites will not only support military operations but also contribute to other government tasks, including natural disaster monitoring, developing mapping information, environmental monitoring, and tracking the impact of climate change worldwide.

Designed and built in the U.K. through a £22 million contract awarded by Defence Equipment & Support to Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), Tyche is the first satellite to be fully owned by the Ministry of Defence. SSTL received the first signals from Tyche—a satellite comparable in size to a washing machine—just a few hours after lift-off, confirming the successful launch.

Operating in Low Earth Orbit with a five-year lifespan, Tyche will provide timely space-based imagery in support of the U.K. Armed Forces. The design and build of the 150-kilogram satellite have supported around 100 high-skilled roles at SSTL since 2022.

Tyche was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, by SpaceX on their reusable Falcon 9 rocket as part of the ‘Transporter 11’ mission.