His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent has visited UK Space Command at RAF High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, to gain greater insight into the space domain, and the UK’s National Space Strategy.
The Duke visited UK Space Command’s headquarters and met with personnel from across UK Space Command including those from the UK Space Operations Centre also located at RAF High Wycombe and RAF Fylingdales, the UK’s primary military space sensor, located in North Yorkshire
The Duke has an interest in innovation, engineering, and British business both at home and overseas. The National Space Strategy, published in September 2021, set out the Government’s ambitions for the UK in space. It brought civil and defence space policy into one integrated strategy for the first time.
His Royal Highness was shown how UK Space Command provides space support to enable UK and allied military operations around the world, and how the Command is working with its partners to promote responsible behaviours in space, and keep space safe, secure, and sustainable for all generations.
His Royal Highness presented several Honours and Awards to UK Space Command personnel, including an Iraq and Syria Operational Service Medal to Air Vice-Marshal Paul Godfrey, Commander of UK Space Command. The Duke also presented a number of Commendations from the late Queen’s Birthday Honours list and the Space Operator badge, which signifies the excellence of space professionals across defence.
It was a privilege to host His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent at UK Space Command. Space has never been more important, underpinning not only global military operations, but our way of life. I am grateful to The Duke for his interest and enthusiasm in our people, what we do and the UK’s National Space Strategy.
Air Vice-Marshal Paul Godfrey
Commander of UK Space Command
UK Space Command is a Joint Command, based at RAF High Wycombe, and staffed by personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force, alongside civil servants, and contractors. The Duke of Kent served in the British Army for 21 years, retiring in 1976 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His Royal Highness retains close links to the Armed Forces today where he holds a number of senior appointments in the Army and is also an Honorary Air Chief Marshal in the Royal Air Force.
