The U.S. Space Command and the U.K. Space Command announced on September 18, 2025, the successful completion of their first-ever coordinated satellite maneuvers, known as rendezvous and proximity operations (RPOs). This achievement follows similar operations conducted by the U.S. with France earlier in the year, signifying an expansion of allied collaboration in the increasingly militarized space domain.
The joint operation, executed between September 4-12, 2025, involved a U.S. satellite carefully maneuvering into close proximity to a U.K. spacecraft for inspection, monitoring, and validation purposes. While specific details about the spacecraft remain undisclosed, the maneuver's success highlights a significant advancement in operational capabilities for both commands. “This operation was a first of its kind for U.K. Space Command and represents a significant increase in operational capability,” stated Maj. Gen. Paul Tedman, commander of U.K. Space Command.
These cooperative RPOs are integral to Multinational Force Operation Olympic Defender, a U.S.-led initiative focused on strengthening international cooperation in space defense. The U.K. was among the initial participants in Olympic Defender, which was formed in 2019 amid rising concerns about the weaponization of space by potential adversaries. The coalition emphasizes information sharing, coordinated training, and joint operations to safeguard member nations’ space assets.
Operation Olympic Defender has fostered a coalition comprising seven nations – the U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand, and the U.K. – dedicated to defensive space activities, including RPOs. Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess, commander of U.S. Space Forces-Space and Combined Joint Force Space Component Command, noted, “This coordinated maneuver between two allies validated the interoperability that’s foundational to our collective defense.”
The collaborative efforts build upon earlier successes, such as the first-ever bilateral RPO between U.S. and French Space Commands in early 2025. The U.S. Space Force’s 2025 International Partnership Strategy underscores the importance of these coalition missions for deterrence and warfighting in space, demanding coordinated allied maneuvers. Gen. Stephen Whiting, commander of U.S. Space Command, emphasized the significance of these joint RPOs in enhancing coalition space security, improving interoperability, and strengthening deterrence in the increasingly contested space domain.