Defence chiefs have ploughed £9.5million into a space wars satellite the size of a washing machine.
The Titania launches in 2023 and will lead the way in the UK’s bid to beat Russia and China in potential battles.
It is feared Britain’s future enemies could interfere, intercept or destroy key UK satellite systems in a conflict.
A space attack could cripple our infrastructure, ruining communications and energy supplies and even damage military networks.
Space weapons used by ground troops would include laser technology and even conventional arms capable of reaching 60 miles above Earth.
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory awarded the contract to UK firm In-Space Missions Ltd to build the Titania.
It will be used to transmit large volumes of military data including secret messages, intelligence and surveillance material and avoid being detected or intercepted.
It is feared China and Russia already have satellites that can be pre-armed to launch attacks on enemy satellites. Dstl’s Dr Mike O’Callaghan said: “The Titania mission will accelerate the development of space-based optical communications, allowing our armed forces to operate in an increasingly contested environment.”
It is part of the MoD’s space capability and follows the recent launch of UK Space Command headquarters at RAF High Wycombe, Bucks, on July 29.
Commander of UK Space Command Air Vice Marshal Paul Godfrey said: “Following our stand-up as a Joint Command, the Titania contract is the next exciting step for the UK in space.”
The new space base at RAF High Wycombe is expected to cost around £1.4bn over the next 10 years.
The launch comes as the Pentagon warned the world is moving closer to nuclear war with Russia and China.
Israel and India are also thought to have developed armed satellite systems.
British arms manufacturers, along with defence scientists at the QinetiQ company, are developing the Dragonfire laser weapons to beat threats from the ground or the skies.
