New Delhi: The UK Space Command launched its first military satellite, Tyche, which is designed to provide surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities for the country’s armed forces, a UK government press release stated.
The new satellite will provide daytime images and videos of the Earth’s surface. It will be able to support military operations, as well as contribute to wider government tasks such as natural disaster monitoring, mapping, environmental monitoring, and climate change tracking.
Operating in Low Earth Orbit, the 150-kg satellite has a life of about five years and will provide timely space-based imagery in support of the armed forces.
The successful launch of Tyche is a significant milestone for the UK’s space capabilities. “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,” UK Space Commander, Major General Paul Tedman said.
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