UK forms Space Command

1 April 2021- The UK Space Command is a Joint Command staffed from the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force and the Civil Service. It officially formed on 1 April 2021.

Why is Space important

Space, and our assured access to it, is fundamental to military operations. Loss of, or disruption to, the space domain, will impact our ability to undertake the majority of Defence Tasks, and has the potential for significant effect on civilian, commercial and economic activity.

The threat from adversaries in this rapidly evolving operational domain is real and it is here now. If we fail to understand how to operate in space, integrate space with all domains and integrate with Allies’ and Partners’ space capabilities, we lose our competitive edge. More on the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Multi-Domain Integration (MDI) concepts can be found on the Joint Concept Note (JCN) 1/20 Multi-Domain Integration page.

The establishment of a UK Space Command for Defence is a crucial step in the development of a coherent strategy to understand and operate in space, to protect UK interests.

UK Space Command formation and structure

UK Space Command is a Joint Command, staffed from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, the Civil Service and key members of the commercial sector. It brings together 3 functions under a single 2-Star military commander: space operations; space workforce training and growth; and space capability (developing and delivering space equipment programmes).

UK Space Command works alongside the Ministry of Defence Space Directorate, which is responsible for Defence Space policy, strategy and cross-government and international coordination. Direction from the National Space Council will flow through the Space Directorate to UK Space Command and other relevant elements of Defence. UK Space Command will interact with the UK Space Agency, when required, to deliver joint national space capability.

UK Space Command will also have extremely close links to Strategic Command and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), specifically to examine options for the development of new capabilities, to enable multi-domain integration and capitalise on the rich pedigree of Research and Development expertise that exists within UK Defence.

Where will UK Space Command be located and how will it be formed

UK Space Command will initially be located at RAF High Wycombe, alongside RAF Air Command. This will allow the organisation to build on existing RAF Space structures, such as the UK’s Space Operations Centre (UK SpOC). Options for a long-term location are under consideration by the MOD.

Following formation on 1 April 2021, UK Space Command’s capabilities and workforce will be grown and developed as appropriate conditions are met to transfer-in existing operational capabilities and authorities from within and across the MOD.

Strategic Intent

When fully operationally capable, UK Space Command will provide command and control of all of Defence’s space capabilities, including UK Space Operations Centre (SpOC), SKYNET Satellite Communications, RAF Fylingdales, and other enabling capabilities.

UK Space Operations Centre

The mission of the UK SpOC is to understand and monitor the Space Domain in order to protect, defend and assure access to the UK’s on-orbit assets or dependencies.

Skynet Satellite Communications

The SKYNET system is a family of military satellites, ground stations and user equipment that provides strategic satellite communication (SATCOM) services to the British Armed Forces & UK allies.

The system is currently owned and operated for the MOD by Airbus Defence and Space (ADS) Ltd.

RAF Fylindales

RAF Fylingdales in North Yorkshire provides a continuous ballistic missile early warning service to the UK and US Governments, ensuring a surprise missile attack cannot succeed.

As a key part of the Allied Space Surveillance Network, the Unit also monitors objects in space that can easily resemble incoming missiles when re-entering the atmosphere.

The Station also supports the United States’ developing Missile Defense System.

UK Space Command will also have oversight of all space-based capability development, ensuring that space-based capabilities are developed in a way that ensures they can be integrated coherently with other defence capabilities (and other domains). This includes joint enabling capability sponsored and delivered by Strategic Command along with the Dstl Space Science & Technology programme.

UK Space Command will also have responsibility for the recruitment, training and development of Defence personnel working in the space domain.

International Collaboration

Collaboration with international partners is key in space, no nation can do it alone. UK Space Command will continue the UK’s commitment to the Combined Space Operations initiative, which comprises of 7 nations (Australia, Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand, UK and US), and seeks to improve cooperation, coordination, and interoperability opportunities in space; its main effort is to ‘ensure a safe, secure and stable space domain’.

UK Space Command will also take command of the UK’s participation in the US-led Space Coalition under Operation OLYMPIC DEFENDER and support the growth of the NATO space enterprise.

Source UK MoD

Photos courtesy UK MoD