The United Kingdom Space Command will utilize LeoLabs’ space situational awareness services for its low Earth orbit research and development satellite, Tyche, scheduled for a summer launch. According to a LeoLabs announcement, the 150-kilogram demo spacecraft is part of the U.K.’s ISTARI program on a LEO constellation for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
LeoLabs CEO Tony Frazier, a six-time Wash100 winner, called Tyche’s launch a “significant step” toward the U.K.’s first LEO satellites for ISR missions. “We look forward to acting as a critical mission partner to the United Kingdom and its allies for this and future missions, enabling the continued safety and security of space,” he said.
In addition to tapping the Menlo Park, California-based company’s SSA services, UK Space Command will also rely on its space domain awareness capabilities, including monitoring of selected high-interest objects.
According to the British government’s website, it has allocated more than $1.25 billion for the ISTARI program over the next 10 years, part of an investment plan under the U.K.’s Defence Space Strategy announced in February 2022.
In February, Lockheed Martin said it had secured a U.K. Ministry of Defence research and development contract for a software solution for ground control of the ISTARI constellation.