https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/aug/17/uk-launches-its-first-earth-imaging-military-satellite [p] Skip to main contentSkip to navigation Close dialogue1/2Next imagePrevious imageToggle caption Skip to navigation Print subscriptions Sign in Search jobs Search US edition[ ] * US edition * UK edition * Australia edition * Europe edition * International edition The Guardian - Back to homeThe Guardian [ ] * News * Opinion * Sport * Culture * Lifestyle ShowMoreShow More * [ ]News + View all News + US news + US elections 2024 + Democratic national convention + World news + Environment + Ukraine + Soccer + Business + Tech + Science + Newsletters + Wellness * [ ]Opinion + View all Opinion + The Guardian view + Columnists + Letters + Opinion videos + Cartoons * [ ]Sport + View all Sport + Soccer + NFL + Tennis + MLB + MLS + NBA + NHL + F1 + Golf * [ ]Culture + View all Culture + Film + Books + Music + Art & design + TV & radio + Stage + Classical + Games * [ ]Lifestyle + View all Lifestyle + Wellness + Fashion + Food + Recipes + Love & sex + Home & garden + Health & fitness + Family + Travel + Money * Search input [ ] google-search Search + Support us + Print subscriptions * [ ]US edition + UK edition + Australia edition + Europe edition + International edition * + Search jobs + Digital Archive + Guardian Licensing + About Us + The Guardian app + Video + Podcasts + Pictures + Inside the Guardian + Guardian Weekly + Crosswords + Wordiply + Corrections * + Search jobs + Digital Archive + Guardian Licensing + About Us * UK * UK politics * Education * Media * Society * Law * Scotland * Wales * Northern Ireland An artist's impression of the Tyche satellite orbiting Earth. [ ] An artist's impression of the Tyche satellite orbiting Earth. Photograph: SSTL View image in fullscreen An artist's impression of the Tyche satellite orbiting Earth. Photograph: SSTL Military UK launches its first Earth-imaging military satellite Satellite named Tyche to support armed forces operations as well as monitor natural disasters and impact of climate change PA Media Sat 17 Aug 2024 07.47 EDTLast modified on Sat 17 Aug 2024 08.36 EDT Share The UK has launched its first military satellite able to capture daytime images and videos of the Earth's surface. The satellite, named Tyche, will support British armed forces operations as well as monitor natural disasters, help map information development and track the impact of climate change globally, the Ministry of Defence said. The washing machine-sized satellite, was designed and built in the UK under a PS22m contract awarded to Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) and is the first to be fully owned by the MoD. The first signals from Tyche were received a few hours after lift-off on Friday night, confirming the successful launch from Vandenberg space force base, in California, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter-11 mission. Four people watching a screen on a wall showing a distant view of a rocket launch over the seaView image in fullscreen People from UK Space Command and the MoD watching a live feed of SpaceX Falcon 9 carrying the Tyche satellite into space from California. Photograph: AS1 Palmer/MoD/Crown Copyright 2024/PA It is the first to be launched by the MoD out of a constellation of satellites under its space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance programme. Maria Eagle, the 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." The MoD said the design and build of Tyche had supported about 100 high-skilled roles at SSTL since 2022. The commander of UK Space Command, Maj Gen Paul Tedman, thanked and congratulated everyone involved in the development of Tyche. "This is a fabulous day for UK space," he said. "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. skip past newsletter promotion Sign up to Headlines UK Free newsletter Get the day's headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning Enter your email address [ ]Sign up Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion "Tyche represents the first of a future constellation of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance satellites that we'll launch over the coming years." The defence equipment and support space team leader, Paul Russell, described the project as an "exciting journey". He said: "To see 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." 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