The United Kingdom has gained new space-based surveillance capabilities following the launch of the military satellite Titania. It became the country’s second military spacecraft in orbit after Tyche, which was launched in 2024.
Sky News reports this.
According to the outlet, Titania was placed into orbit last month from California using a SpaceX rocket. The satellite was designed and built in the county of Hampshire as part of a joint project between the UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and BAE Systems.
In size, the spacecraft is roughly comparable to a washing machine and weighs about 100 kilograms. It travels at 27,000 kilometres per hour and completes a full orbit of the Earth in around 90 minutes.
UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the new satellites would help the military identify potential threats more quickly and improve the country’s security. He added that there are plans to launch two more spacecraft.
The satellites will be operated by UK Space Command, whose headquarters is located at the Royal Air Force base in High Wycombe.
In addition, the UK Ministry of Defence is testing the “Inaros” space-sensor system, which will monitor activity in orbit. It is planned to be deployed at three sites in different parts of the world.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth, stressed that space-based surveillance is important for the country’s security and for maintaining its military advantage. He said the Tyche and Titania satellites would perform this role, and would later be joined by Juno and Oberon.
Streeting also noted that the Titania satellite and the “Inaros” system were designed and built in the United Kingdom. Their development was supported by government investment in space technologies totalling more than £3 billion.
As Sky News reports, the launch of the new satellites came shortly after the unveiling of the UK’s first space squadron. In September, the head of the Royal Air Force said space had become a domain of warfare.
- In 2024, a British satellite called Tyche was successfully launched into space to provide support during military operations, as well as for reconnaissance.
- Earlier, Britain complained that Russia tries to jam its military satellites every week.