The first UK military satellite which can capture daytime images and videos of the Earth’s surface has successfully launched into space.
The “cutting-edge” satellite – named Tyche – is part of a Ministry of Defence (MoD) programme that aims to support military operations as well as natural disaster and environmental monitoring, mapping information development, and tracking the climate change impact.
Tyche was launched on Friday from a Falcon 9 rocket owned by SpaceX, the company co-founded by billionaire X owner Elon Musk.
The MoD said the launch is the first step in a future constellation of satellites that will seek to strengthen the UK’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
Maria Eagle, minister for defence procurement and industry, said: “Tyche will provide essential intelligence for military operations as well as supporting wider tasks across government.
“Tyche also shows the UK’s commitment to support innovation in science and technology, stimulating growth across the sector and supporting highly skilled jobs in the UK.”
Tyche, which is about the size of a washing machine, was designed and built in the UK through a £22m contract awarded to Surrey Satellites Technology Limited (SSTL) and is the first to be fully owned by the MoD.
The MoD said the war in Ukraine had shown that the use of space is “crucial to military operations”.
SSTL received the first signals from Tyche a few hours after lift-off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, confirming the successful launch.
The 150kg satellite will operate in low-Earth orbit over a five-year lifespan.
Major General Paul Tedman, UK space commander, said: “This is a fabulous day for UK space.
“The successful launch of Tyche has shown that UK Space Command, and its essential partners across defence and industry, can rapidly take a concept through to the delivery of a satellite capability on orbit.”