Overview

• U.S. Space Command confirmed that a U.S. satellite repositioned September 4–12 to closely inspect a U.K. spacecraft to verify its nominal operation, with specific spacecraft details withheld.
• The coordinated rendezvous and proximity operation was executed under Multinational Force — Operation Olympic Defender, the coalition for cooperative defensive space activities.
• Commanders Stephen Whiting and Douglas Schiess said the success validated allied interoperability and delivered a credible deterrent in a contested orbital environment.
• U.K. Space Command leader Maj. Gen. Paul Tedman called it the organization’s first such operation and a significant increase in operational capability.
• Officials highlighted broader coalition growth to seven members and noted an earlier U.S.–France RPO this year, as separate reporting covered ongoing debate over relocating U.S. Space Command and potential readiness impacts.