UK Space Programmes - An overview
Although the UK’s military space programme dates back to 1952, until relatively recently it was small and extremely limited. However, as the commercial space sector has expanded and the cost of launches has decreased, the UK has begun to treat space as an area of serious national interest. The MoD and its close allies have openly declared that they see space as “a war fighting domain”.
We have now seen the setting up of UK Space Command, the publication of a Defence Space Strategy outlining how the MoD will “protect the UK’s national interests in space” and the announcement of a portfolio of new military programmes to develop space assets and infrastructure. Below we details some of these programmes.
We have now seen the setting up of UK Space Command, the publication of a Defence Space Strategy outlining how the MoD will “protect the UK’s national interests in space” and the announcement of a portfolio of new military programmes to develop space assets and infrastructure. Below we details some of these programmes.
Development of the SaxaVord Space Port on Isle of Unst, Shetlands
Spaceports
Through the UK Space Agency, the government is developing a number of sites across the country, from the south of England to the north of Scotland, that will be capable of launching military, civil and dual-use capabilities into space either via horizontal (aircraft) or vertical (rocket) launches.
In January 2023, Virgin Orbit attempted to launch a number of military and civil satellites via horizontal launch from Newquay airport, but the rocket failed to put the satellites into orbit. The next launch is planned to take place from SaxaVord in the Shetland Islands.
In January 2023, Virgin Orbit attempted to launch a number of military and civil satellites via horizontal launch from Newquay airport, but the rocket failed to put the satellites into orbit. The next launch is planned to take place from SaxaVord in the Shetland Islands.
Satellites
Communications: The MoD currently operates the UK’s Skynet 5 system which enables hardened communications for the UK’s armed forces, intelligence agencies and government departments. The UK is currently upgrading Skynet, with plans for a Skynet 6 system that utilises UK government, allied nation and commercial satellites.
Surveillance: The UK is building a new constellation of satellites to enable it to undertake global military surveillance and intelligence gathering operations from space. The first of the new Minerva satellites, Tyche, is planned to be launched in summer 2024, with Titania and Oberon following in 2025.
Surveillance: The UK is building a new constellation of satellites to enable it to undertake global military surveillance and intelligence gathering operations from space. The first of the new Minerva satellites, Tyche, is planned to be launched in summer 2024, with Titania and Oberon following in 2025.
Monitoring space from earth
RAF Fylingdales in North Yorkshire, is the UK’s primary military space monitoring centre, providing a 24/7 missile warning and space surveillance capability for the UK and its allies. Fylingdales is a key part of the Allied Space Surveillance Network and supports the US missile defence system.
In 2023, the UK, US and Australia announced the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) programme to develop a network of three new ground-based radars that will undertake surveillance of satellites and other objects in space. Cawdor Barracks in Pembrokeshire, Wales is the proposed site of the new UK radar. In addition, UK Space Command and the UK Space Agency announced it was building a new ground-based space camera-telescope system in Cyprus called Project ‘Nyx Alpha’. The telescope will monitor objects in geostationary orbit, approximately 36,000km above the Earth.
In 2023, the UK, US and Australia announced the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) programme to develop a network of three new ground-based radars that will undertake surveillance of satellites and other objects in space. Cawdor Barracks in Pembrokeshire, Wales is the proposed site of the new UK radar. In addition, UK Space Command and the UK Space Agency announced it was building a new ground-based space camera-telescope system in Cyprus called Project ‘Nyx Alpha’. The telescope will monitor objects in geostationary orbit, approximately 36,000km above the Earth.
'Space Control'
Like other emerging space states, the UK insists that it opposes military action in space. Yet at the same time it is developing plans for what it euphemistically call ‘space control’, i.e. space warfare. In UK policy documents, that translates as ‘ensuring freedom of action in space while denying adversaries such freedom’.
This likely entails at one end of the scale electronic warfare (jamming) and cyber attacks to anti-satellite lasers or missiles at the other end. Little is publicly known about UK ‘space control’ plans. In 2022, as part of a £1.4bn funding for UK military space programmes the government acknowledged £145m for ‘space control’.
This likely entails at one end of the scale electronic warfare (jamming) and cyber attacks to anti-satellite lasers or missiles at the other end. Little is publicly known about UK ‘space control’ plans. In 2022, as part of a £1.4bn funding for UK military space programmes the government acknowledged £145m for ‘space control’.
Command and Control
The UK Space Operations Centre, based at RAF High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire is the UK armed forces command and control unit for space, where personnel collate, analyse, and assess space information to support UK and allied military forces.
The Ground Control Stations for current Skynet satellites are located at RAF Oakhanger in Hampshire and MoD Corsham in Wiltshire..
The Ground Control Stations for current Skynet satellites are located at RAF Oakhanger in Hampshire and MoD Corsham in Wiltshire..
