UK Space Command is today marking its first anniversary following
formation in April 2021.
Over the past year, UK Space Command - the
Ministry of Defence’s lead for space operations, space workforce,
and space capability - has taken command of RAF Fylingdales in
North Yorkshire and the UK Space Operations Centre at RAF High
Wycombe.
As the Command celebrates its first anniversary, it also reaches
Initial Operating Capability (IOC), marking the completion of its
initial development as an operational military command. This
follows a year of rapid capability and workforce growth within UK
Space Command.
In future, UK Space Command will command and control of all
Defence’s space capabilities, including SKYNET satellite
communications, the National Air and Space Operations Centre, and
the ISTARI programme.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, the Chief of the Air
Staff, said:
We are all dependent on space. It is fundamental to our security
and to our way of life. Formed one year ago, UK Space Command has
now achieved Initial Operating Capability, and is working
24-7-365 to make space safe, sustainable and accessible for the
benefit of all.
Air Vice-Marshal Paul Godfrey, Commander of UK Space
Command, said:
Space Command’s first year has been exceptionally busy, and our
staff have been superb. Every one of them should be proud of
their role in enabling us to declare Initial Operating Capability
as part of our first anniversary. We will continue to develop our
workforce and capabilities to ensure the UK and our allies
continue to have access to space and the services derived from
it.
The Command works closely with several allied nations in the
Combined Space Operations Initiative (CSpO), Five Eyes, NATO, and
other bilateral relationships, to collectively promote the free,
responsible, and sustainable use of space.
Its first year has also seen close collaboration with the UK
Space Agency to deliver joint civil and defence space policy as
outlined by the National Space
Strategy. The two organisations have worked closely together
since the Command’s formation, especially throughout incidents
like the re-entry of
Long March-5B in May 2021, and the Russian anti-satellite
missile test in November 2021.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the missile-tracking
capabilities of UK Space Command have been a contributor to the
UK and international response. Personnel at the UK Space
Operations Centre and RAF Fylingdales have been monitoring this
crisis continually since its outset having tracked more ballistic
missiles in the last six weeks alone than in the whole of the
previous year.
Now in its second year, UK Space Command will continue to deliver
on the UK’s Space Programme outlined in the Defence Space Strategy
from February 2022, setting out the government’s vision for
Defence as a global actor in the space domain.
