The United Kingdom has launched its first military satellite capable of recording images and video of the Earth’s surface during the day.
The satellite, named Tyche, will support British military operations as well as monitor natural disasters, help map information development and track the impact of climate change worldwide, the Ministry of Defense said.
The washing machine-sized satellite, designed and built in the UK under a £22m contract awarded to Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) is the first to be fully owned by the MoD.
The first signals from Tyche were received a few hours after liftoff Friday night, confirming the successful launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter-11 mission.
It is the first to be launched by the MoD from a constellation of satellites under its space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance programme.
Maria Eagle, the Minister for Defense Acquisition and Industry, said: “Tyche will provide essential intelligence for military operations, as well as supporting wider tasks across government.
“Tyche also demonstrates the UK’s commitment to supporting innovation in science and technology, stimulating growth across the sector and supporting highly skilled jobs in the UK.”
The MoD said the design and build of Tyche has supported around 100 high-skilled roles at SSTL since 2022.
The commander of the UK Space Command, Maj-Gen Paul Tedman, thanked and congratulated everyone involved in the development of Tyche.\
“This is a great day for UK space,” he said. “The successful launch of Tyche has shown that UK Space Command, and its essential partners across defense and industry, can rapidly take a concept to the delivery of a satellite capability on orbit.
to newsletter promotion
“Tyche represents the first of a future constellation of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance satellites that we will launch over the coming years.”
Defense Equipment and Support Space Team Leader Paul Russell described the project as an “exciting journey”.
He said: “Seeing Tyche, the first of a new generation of UK military capabilities, delivered into orbit is an incredibly proud moment and a tribute to everyone’s commitment to this key project.”
