First UK military spy satellite launched that captures daytime images of Earth's surface

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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."

Personnel from UK Space Command, Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) and Andrew Cawthorne (Managing Director of SSTL) watch live as the Falcon 9 Rocket is launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, by SpaceX with the UK Space Command Satellite inside on the 16/08/24...A UK satellite to support military operations was successfully launched into space last night. .Tyche, is the first UK Space Command satellite which can capture daytime images and videos of the Earth...s surface.... .Tyche was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, by SpaceX, on their reusable Falcon 9 rocket, as part of the ...Transporter 11... mission........The satellite will strengthen the UK...s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities....... .Tyche is the first satellite to be launched under the Ministry of Defence...s space-based ISR programme, which will 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, the development of mapping information, environmental monitoring and tracking the impact of climate change around the world....... .Designed and built in the UK through a ..22 million contract awarded by Defence Equipment & Support to Surrey Satellites Technology Limited (SSTL), Tyche is the first satellite to be fully owned by the Ministry of Defence.... The design and build of the 150-kilogramme satellite has supported around 100 high-skilled roles at SSTL since 2022........Operating in Low Earth Orbit over a five-year lifespan, Tyche will provide timely space-based imagery in support of the UK Armed Forces. .

Personnel from UK Space Command and Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) are briefed about the processes of the Satellite Launch by Chris Youens (Spacecraft Operations Manager) in the Operations Room at Surrey Satellite Technology ltd (SSTL) in Guildford on the 16/08/24...A UK satellite to support military operations was successfully launched into space last night. .Tyche, is the first UK Space Command satellite which can capture daytime images and videos of the Earth...s surface.... .Tyche was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, by SpaceX, on their reusable Falcon 9 rocket, as part of the ...Transporter 11... mission........The satellite will strengthen the UK...s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities....... .Tyche is the first satellite to be launched under the Ministry of Defence...s space-based ISR programme, which will 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, the development of mapping information, environmental monitoring and tracking the impact of climate change around the world....... .Designed and built in the UK through a ..22 million contract awarded by Defence Equipment & Support to Surrey Satellites Technology Limited (SSTL), Tyche is the first satellite to be fully owned by the Ministry of Defence.... The design and build of the 150-kilogramme satellite has supported around 100 high-skilled roles at SSTL since 2022........Operating in Low Earth Orbit over a five-year lifespan, Tyche will provide timely space-based imagery in support of the UK Armed Forces. .

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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."

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