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UK Launches First Military Space Squadron, Streeting Announces

By Drooid · Sep 25, 2026, 12:02 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting announced No. 3 Space Effects Squadron, the UK’s first military space unit.
The squadron will conduct defensive missions protecting UK interests in space and on Earth.
Critics say the Investment Plan’s £3 billion space allocation lacks £4.7 billion and depends on £1.1 billion sales.
The head of the military space operation was suspended pending investigation of an alleged serious sexual offence.

History

Historical Context

In September 1982 the Air Force created Space Command, uniting the fragmented space missions that began with the 1954 Western Development Division and the 1961 designation of the Air Force as the DoD’s executive agent for space. The new command became the first operational U.S. military space service and later oversaw milestones such as the 24-satellite GPS constellation completed in 1993.

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Story summary

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting announced No. 3 Space Effects Squadron, the UK’s first military space unit.
The squadron will conduct defensive missions protecting UK interests in space and on Earth.
Critics say the Investment Plan’s £3 billion space allocation lacks £4.7 billion and depends on £1.1 billion sales.
The head of the military space operation was suspended pending investigation of an alleged serious sexual offence.

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