UK Space Command | Royal Air Force

To make space safe, secure and sustainable for all generations.

Daily lives around the world rely on satellites and systems in space, and they also underpin military operations across the sea, land, air, and cyberspace.

Space is a congested and competitive domain. Hazards in space range from space weather to space debris, but this also includes nefarious activity, as competitors seek to maximise their advantage. UK Space Command works with allies and partners around the world to make space safe, secure, and sustainable for all generations.

UK Space Command is a joint command based at RAF High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire.

It is staffed by personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force, alongside civil servants and contractors.

The UK has been operating in space routinely since 1969 and continuously since 1988. Following its formation in 2021, UK Space Command’s capabilities and workforce have rapidly grown, now including command of RAF Fylingdales in North Yorkshire, and the UK Space Operations Centre at RAF High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire.

WE ALL DEPEND ON SPACE, IN OUR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIVES

Disruption to the UK’s use of space, or the use of space by the UK’s allies, could significantly affect civilian, commercial, and defence activity.

UK Space Command personnel monitor space 24/7, 365 days a year, to protect the UK’s interests in space.

I have seen first-hand how critical the Space domain is and how it underpins not only military operations, but broader every day activities. As it becomes ever more congested and contested, it is critical that the UK is integrated in its approach to space and the formation of this command will provide a key focal point for this complex operating environment.

Air Vice-Marshal Paul Godfrey, Commander, UK Space Command

UK Space Command brings together three functions under a single military commander, Air Vice-Marshal Paul Godfrey.

SPACE OPERATIONS
Protect and defend UK and allied interests in space, and control all the UK’s defence space capabilities, including the UK Space Operations Centre and RAF Fylingdales

SPACE WORKFORCE
Recruit, train, and develop defence personnel to work in the space domain

SPACE CAPABILITY
Develop and deliver space equipment programmes that integrate with other defence capabilities

The UK Space Operations Centre, based at RAF High Wycombe, monitors the space domain to protect, defend and assure access to the UK’s space assets.

RAF Fylingdales

RAF Fylingdales in North Yorkshire, which falls under UK Space Command, provides a continuous ballistic missile early warning service to the UK and US Governments.

As a key part of the Allied Space Surveillance Network, the unit monitors objects when re-entering the atmosphere and supports the US missile defence system.

The Solid-State Phased Array Radar at RAF Fylingdales is a joint enterprise between the United States and the United Kingdom. It’s the only 3-faced RADAR providing 360° coverage within the space surveillance network and can detect objects the size of a coke can 3000 miles into space.

"This Government's determination to establish UK Space Command is a huge step forward because space is fundamental to our national security and to our way of life. UK Space Command will protect and promote the United Kingdom's interests in space, working with like-minded allies around the world for the benefit of all."

Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, Chief of the Air Staff

The inaugural commander of UK Space Command is Air Vice-Marshal Paul Godfrey

Paul Godfrey joined the RAF in 1991 and has been a fighter pilot most of his career. A former Station Commander at RAF Lossiemouth, most recently he was responsible for the planning and employment of coalition air and space power across the Middle East within the US Air Force Combined Air and Space Operations Centre.

International cooperation

International cooperation is critical in the space domain. No one nation can do it alone.

UK Space Command continues the UK’s commitment to the Combined Space Operations initiative with Australia, Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand, and the US, to ensure a safe, secure and stable space domain.

UK Space Command also controls the UK’s participation in the US-led space coalition under Operation Olympic Defender, a multinational coalition formed to deter hostile actors in space and reduce the spread of debris in orbit. It also supports the growth of the NATO space enterprise.

Be part of UK Space Command

We are constantly recruiting, training, and developing individuals to work in the space domain.

Air and Space Operations Specialist (Flight Operations)
Air Operations (Systems) Officer
Cyberspace Communication Specialist
Engineering Officer (Communications Electronics)
Intelligence Officer
Intelligence Analyst

UK Space Command is a joint command with personnel from across the UK Armed Forces. If you are interested in careers in the space domain with the Royal Navy or the British Army, please visit Royal Navy jobs or British Army jobs.