UK Space Command has hosted the UK’s first space wargame by holding ‘Space Warrior’ at the Defence Experimentation and Wargaming Hub at Southwick Park in Hampshire.
Participants included staff from across the Ministry of Defence, industry, and international partners and allies. The exercise was overseen by Major General Paul Tedman, Commander of UK Space Command.
The wargame explored how commercial space-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) can work alongside defence’s own space-based ISR capabilities, such as Programme ISTARI, which will deliver a constellation of defence satellites for space-based ISR by 2031.
“Space Warrior has provided critical insights into what on-orbit ISR capability we need and how much. Crucially, it has also evaluated whether we should own the capability, access it through commercial or collaborate with allies. I’m grateful to our industrial partners and military allies for their participation, input, and support. Space is a team sport.”
Major General Paul Tedman
Commander of UK Space Command
“Through wargames like Space Warrior, which explore opportunities beyond our current capabilities and expertise, we are working to develop tomorrow's integrated force."
Rear Admiral Andrew Betton
Strategic Command’s Director of the Integrated Warfare Centre (part of the Integration Design Authority)
Read Admiral Andrew Betton, who provided the wargame facility, said: "It is vital that we consider our activities across all domains, and Space Warrior is an important step forward in expanding our understanding of how we can most effectively operate in this challenging domain, and the multiple interdependencies that enable multi-domain operations. I look forward to supporting UK Space Command with future wargaming activity and building the incorporation of space into more of our work.”
“UK Space Command’s inaugural Space Warrior Wargame was a timely and well-run event as we head into the next Strategic Defence Review. The inclusion of colleagues from across the industrial sector was an important step forward in demonstrating the MOD’s commitment to listen and engage with the wider defence industrial base. Satellites in space and the data they provide are integral to any future conflict as well as supporting the wider national economy.”
Mr Allen Antrobus
Chair of the Security and Defence Committee at UK Space
UK Space Command is due to launch its first satellite this summer. Tyche will be the first of the network of new satellites being developed under Programme ISTARI. It is a 150kg research and development satellite and will operate in Low Earth Orbit over its five-year life span.
Tyche has an electro-optical sensor – a high-resolution camera able to take daytime images of the Earth's surface from space. It was designed and built in the UK as part of a £22m contract with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, and it will be launched by SpaceX from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Since its formation in 2021, UK Space Command personnel have taken part in exercises and wargames around the world, including the UK and Europe, the US, and the Indo-Pacific region. Space Warrior is expected to be a regular UK Space Command wargame that will help to build relationships and understanding between UK Space Command allies, partners, and industry.
