Britain launches new military spy satellite to keep tabs on country’s enemies (using one of Elon Musk’s rockets)
The British military has launched a new ‘spy-in-the-sky’ satellite into space to keep an eye on the country’s enemies.
The satellite is called Tyche and is the first satellite of the UK Space Command that can take pictures and video of the Earth’s surface during the day. The satellite will support the country’s military operations.
It will also help monitor environmental disasters, map information development and map the impacts of climate change globally, the Defense Department said.
The satellite was launched into space on Friday evening aboard one of Elon Musk’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets from a space station in California.
A few hours after launch, the first signals from Tyche were received, confirming that the launch was successful.
A new ‘spy-in-the-sky’ satellite has been launched into space by the British military to keep an eye on the country’s enemies
The satellite, called Tyche, is the UK Space Command’s first satellite capable of taking photos and video of the Earth’s surface during the day and will support UK military operations.
The satellite was launched into space Friday evening on one of Elon Musk’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets from a space force base in California
Tyche, which is comparable in size to a washing machine, was designed and built in the UK under a £22 million contract awarded to Surrey Satellites Technology Limited (SSTL).
It is the first satellite to be wholly owned by the Ministry of Defence and will be used to enhance the UK’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
The 150kg satellite will provide imagery in support of the UK armed forces over a five-year lifespan.
Maria Eagle, Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, said: “Tyche will provide essential intelligence for military operations as well as supporting wider government functions.
‘Tyche also demonstrates the UK’s commitment to supporting innovation in science and technology, driving growth across the sector and supporting high-skilled jobs in the UK.’
The Department of Defense reported that Tyche’s design and construction has supported approximately 100 highly skilled positions at SSTL since 2022.
British Space Commander Major General Paul Tedman said: “This is a fantastic day for British space.
The Tyche satellite is about the size of a washing machine and weighs 150 kg
The UK Space Command team that helped develop the satellite
Britain launches new military spy satellite to keep tabs on country’s enemies
The first signals were received from Tyche a few hours after launch, confirming the successful launch
The Defense Department said Tyche’s design and construction has supported approximately 100 highly skilled positions at SSTL since 2022
‘The successful launch of Tyche has demonstrated that UK Space Command and its key partners in defence and industry can quickly move from concept to actual delivery of an in-orbit satellite capability.
‘Tyche is the first of a future series of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance satellites that we will launch in the coming years.
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone involved with Tyche and thank them for their support.”
Paul Russell, Team Leader of Defence Equipment and Support Space, described the project as an ‘exciting journey’.
He said: ‘It is an incredibly proud moment to see Tyche, the first of a new generation of British military capabilities, enter orbit. It is also a tribute to everyone’s commitment to this important project.’