A senior British Army officer has been selected to lead UK Space Command, which has just announced the successful launch of its first ever satellite.
Major General Paul Tedman has taken command of UK Space Command from Paul Godfrey, who has been promoted from Air Vice-Marshal to Air Marshal.
Yesterday (16 August), the Tyche satellite was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California by SpaceX on their re-useable Falcon 9 rocket, as part of Space X’s ‘Transporter 11’ mission.
Tyche is the first of a network of new satellites being developed under Programme ISTARI. This programme will deliver a constellation of satellites, and supporting ground infrastructure, to provide defence with space-based Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) by 2031.
Tyche is a 150kg research and development satellite that will operate in Low Earth Orbit over its five-year life span. It has an electro-optical sensor – a high-resolution camera able to take daytime images of the Earth’s surface from space.
The satellite has been designed and built as part of a £22m contract with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.
ISTARI will ultimately deliver a multi-sensor, wide-area capability to observe activity on the Earth. This will provide vital protection and decision-supporting information to UK and allied military forces, integrated across all operating domains.
Paul Godfrey was announced as the inaugural Commander of UK Space Command in February 2021, before UK Space Command’s formation two months later.
Major General Tedman joins UK Space Command following two years working for US Space Command.
He was appointed as US Space Command’s Deputy Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy (J5) in September 2021, the first exchange officer to serve in this position.
During this time, he spearheaded numerous initiatives that enhanced US-led combined space operations, and US Space Command’s global security cooperation and strategic engagement.
Major General Tedman said:
“I am delighted to have been selected to take command of UK Space Command and to lead our joint space forces.
“It’s always a privilege to command but to do so in such an important domain, with such brilliant people, at such a crucial time, is very exciting.
“Two years as Deputy J5 at US Space Command have exposed me to the importance of space and the counterspace threat and strengthened my resolve to rapidly develop UK space capabilities and integrate them with the joint force.
“I eagerly anticipate building upon the achievements of my predecessor, collaborating with allies, commercial partners, and the joint force to execute the Defence Space Strategy.”
Air Marshal Godfrey said:
“I’m exceptionally proud of everyone at UK Space Command and everything we have achieved since we formed in April 2021.
“With nearly 600 British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, civil service, and contractor personnel, we are protecting and defending the UK’s interests in space today, while developing the cutting-edge space capabilities of tomorrow.
“With his vast experience to include his last two years at US Space Command, I wish Major General Paul Tedman the very best of luck as in his tenure as Commander.
“He is exactly the right person to move UK Space Command onwards and upwards to achieve our vision of making space safe, secure, and sustainable for all generations.”
Air Marshal (AM) Godfrey has taken up the three-star post of Assistant Chief of Space Operations for Future Concepts and Partnerships at the U.S. Space Force.
AM Godfrey said:
“I am privileged to be appointed as the Assistant Chief of Space Operations for Future Concepts and Partnerships.
“This is an exciting and unique opportunity to bring an allied space perspective into the heart of the United States Space Force and assist in operationalising the ‘Partner to Win’ Line of Effort.
“Space is a team sport and we cannot hope to maintain Competitive Endurance in the domain without a coalition of like-minded space-faring nations committed to responsible space behaviours. I am incredibly proud to be part of that team.”
Major General Tedman was commissioned into the Army Air Corps in 1997 and was awarded his Army pilot’s wings in 1999. Since then, he has held command positions from troop up to brigade in both the UK and the US, and has deployed on operations in the Balkans, Africa, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
On promotion to Brigadier in October 2019, he was appointed Deputy Commander of Joint Aviation Command, and then became the inaugural commander of the 1st Aviation Brigade Combat Team in April 2020, which he built from first principles and delivered to initial operating capability (IOC).
Major General Tedman was awarded a Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service (QCVS) in 2003 for service in Iraq, a second QCVS in 2013 for service in Afghanistan, and was appointed a CBE in 2020.
Space plays a vital role in the Armed Forces’ ability to undertake many defence tasks, with any disruption to the space domain leading to significant consequences for civilian, commercial, economic and military activity.
UK Space Command’s team in the National Space Operations Centre monitors the space domain for anything that might pose a threat to personnel deployed on operations across the globe or to the UK land mass.
