UK launches new military observation satellite into space: 'New pair of eyes'

A new British military observation satellite named Titania has been deployed into orbit, the Ministry of Defence has announced.

Described as a fresh "pair of eyes" orbiting the Earth, the reconnaissance probe will support the armed forces in monitoring military activity back on Earth.

Weighing 100kg and roughly the size of a household washing machine, the satellite was launched from California in October aboard a reusable SpaceX rocket.

The mission follows the deployment of a comparable spacecraft, Tyche, two years prior.

The pair will form part of a wider network of British military satellites, manufactured by UK firms and overseen by Britain’s Space Command.

BAE Systems-built Titania and Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL)-built Tyche will eventually be joined by Juno, also produced by SSTL, alongside Oberon, engineered by Airbus.

Drawing their names from classical and Shakespearean characters, the orbiters belong to the wider Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance Information (ISTARI) initiative.

The MoD also announced it is trialling new advanced ground-based sensors across three worldwide sites under Project Inaros to monitor space.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said: “The new space age is here. Space underpins everything from weather forecasts and financial transactions to sat-navs and mobile phone connections, and it is critical for our national security and military operations.

“Having Titania now in orbit and Project Inaros stepping up how we watch over our satellites means we can see threats sooner, making the UK safer.

“Titania and Inaros are British-built and British-designed, backed by more than £3 billion of investment in space capabilities. That means highly skilled jobs across the UK, a stronger industrial base, and a more secure United Kingdom.”

Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smyth, the Chief of the Air Staff, said: “The ability to observe the Earth from space is critical to both national resilience and military advantage. This will be demonstrated by Tyche and Titania, alongside Juno and Oberon in the years ahead.

“We will monitor these vital satellites using state-of-the-art technology around the world, including our Inaros sensors – to ensure our Armed Forces can fight and win wherever they are. ”

In September, Sir Harv warned that Britain’s enemies are posing an increasing threat in space, and announced that a new No 3 Space Effects Squadron would be formed to “disrupt, degrade and deny hostile activity” outside of Earth’s atmosphere.