Tyche (satellite)
UK military Earth observation satellite
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Tyche is a Britain's first Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) satellite operated by United Kingdom Space Command. It was launched on 16 August 2024 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket as part of SpaceX's Transporter-11 rideshare mission.[1][2]
| Mission type | Military Earth observation |
|---|---|
| Operator | United Kingdom Space Command |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | Surrey Satellite Technology |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 16 August 2024 |
| Rocket | Falcon 9 (Transporter-11) |
| Launch site | Vandenberg Space Force Base |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit |
The satellite provides optical imagery of the Earth in support of defence intelligence and other government uses.[3]
Background
Tyche was developed as part of UK plans to expand sovereign space-based intelligence and reconnaissance systems.[4] The satellite was manufactured by Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL).[1]
Tyche is intended to be the first of four research and development satellites.[5]
Design
Tyche is a SSTL Carbonite-class microsatellite with a mass of about 160 kilograms (350 lb), carrying a high-resolution optical payload delivering sub-1 metre imagery of 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) wide ground areas, including video. Tyche has a planned five-year lifespan orbiting at an altitude of about 500 kilometres (310 mi) in a sun-synchronous orbit.[6][7]
Belgian company Rhea and American Lockheed Martin are developing ground-based software to control the ISR satellites.[8]
Launch
Tyche was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on 16 August 2024 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.[1] The mission formed part of SpaceX's Transporter-11 rideshare payload flight. It was the first satellite operated by UK Space Command to be placed into orbit.[2]
Mission
Tyche provides daytime imagery of the Earth to support military operations, disaster monitoring and related government tasks.[9] The Defence Intelligence Fusion Centre at RAF Wyton has been involved in processing the imagery generated.[10]