UK launches first military satellite tyche for enhanced earth observation

UK launches first military satellite tyche for enhanced earth observation
Credit: AS1 Palmer/MoD/Crown Copyright 2024/PA

London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The UK has undertaken its first military satellite able to grasp daytime images and videos of the Earth’s surface.

The satellite, called Tyche, will support British armed forces functions as well as monitor natural disasters, support map information development and chase the impact of climate change globally, the Ministry of Defence stated.

How Was the Tyche Satellite Developed and Built?

The washing machine-sized satellite was developed and built in the UK under a £22m contract granted to Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) and is the first to be fully possessed by the MoD. The first indications from Tyche were accepted a few hours after lift-off on Friday night, confirming the triumphant launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base, in California, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter-11 mission.

It is the first to be undertaken by the MoD out of a constellation of satellites under its space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance agenda.

How Does Tyche Support the UK’s Space-Based Intelligence Efforts?

Maria Eagle, the minister for defence procurement and industry, stated: “Tyche will deliver essential intelligence for military operations as well as sustaining wider tasks across government. Tyche also offers the UK’s commitment to supporting innovation in science and technology, promoting growth across the sector and supporting highly skilled jobs in the UK.”

How Will Tyche Benefit the UK’s Defence and Space Sectors?

The MoD stated the design and build of Tyche had funded about 100 high-skilled roles at SSTL since 2022. The commander of UK Space Command, Maj Gen Paul Tedman, thanked and complimented everyone involved in the development of Tyche. 

“This is a fabulous day for UK space,” he stated. “The successful takeoff of Tyche has shown that UK Space Command, and its essential associates across defence and industry, can rapidly take a concept through to the delivery of a satellite capability on orbit. Tyche symbolises the first of a future constellation of intelligence, surveillance and observation satellites that we’ll launch over the coming years.”

The defence tools and support space team leader, Paul Russell, explained the project as an “exciting journey”. He stated: “To see Tyche, the first of a fresh generation of UK military capabilities, delivered into orbit is an incredibly proud moment and a homage to everyone’s commitment to this key project.”

Daniele Naddei

Daniele Naddei is a journalist at Parliament News covering European affairs, was born in Naples on April 8, 1991. He also serves as the Director of the CentroSud24 newspaper. During the period from 2010 to 2013, Naddei completed an internship at the esteemed local radio station Radio Club 91. Subsequently, he became the author of a weekly magazine published by the Italian Volleyball Federation of Campania (FIPAV Campania), which led to his registration in the professional order of Journalists of Campania in early 2014, listed under publicists. From 2013 to 2018, he worked as a freelance photojournalist and cameraman for external services for Rai and various local entities, including TeleCapri, CapriEvent, and TLA. Additionally, between 2014 and 2017, Naddei collaborated full-time with various newspapers in Campania, both in print and online. During this period, he also resumed his role as Editor-in-Chief at Radio Club 91.
Naddei is actively involved as a press officer for several companies and is responsible for editing cultural and social events in the city through his association with the Medea Fattoria Sociale. This experience continued until 2021. Throughout these years, he hosted or collaborated on football sports programs for various local broadcasters, including TLA, TvLuna, TeleCapri, Radio Stonata, Radio Amore, and Radio Antenna Uno.
From 2016 to 2018, Naddei was employed as an editor at newspapers of national interest within the Il24.it circuit, including Internazionale24, Salute24, and OggiScuola. Since 2019, Naddei has been one of the creators of the Rabona television program "Calcio è Passione," which has been broadcast on TeleCapri Sport since 2023.