The war in Ukraine has highlighted the critical role of space in modern conflict, according to senior military officials. General Jay Raymond, head of the US Space Force, described it as 'the first war where commercial space capabilities have really played a significant role,' noting that both sides have become heavily reliant on space-based assets.
While avoiding specific operational details, General Raymond indicated that space is used for precision strikes and missile warnings. Ukraine, which owns no military satellites, has received substantial assistance from Western allies and commercial providers. This includes intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) from satellite imagery and early warning radar systems, such as the one at RAF Fylingdales in North Yorkshire.
Commercial satellite imagery has been crucial for tracking Russian troop movements before and during the invasion, including monitoring warships in the Black Sea. Air Vice-Marshal Paul Godfrey, head of UK Space Command, emphasised that time-stamped satellite images helped expose Russian disinformation, such as the Bucha massacre, where imagery contradicted claims that bodies were already present before Russian forces arrived.
Communications have also relied heavily on space. After Russian strikes knocked out key Ukrainian infrastructure, Elon Musk's Starlink system provided thousands of internet terminals, restoring connectivity for military command and control. Ukrainian volunteers have even fundraised to purchase a synthetic aperture radar satellite from Finnish company ICEYE, which reportedly caused over $16 million in Russian damage within its first two days of use.
The conflict underscores the escalating importance of space for both military operations and truth-telling, with the US now discussing additional radar installations in the UK to monitor space activities.
