Over the years I’ve seen many extraordinary examples of cooperation between the United States and the United Kingdom. But earlier this month, something happened far above us—in the silence of geosynchronous orbit—that I believe will be remembered as a milestone.
As reported by Greg Hadley in Air & Space Forces Magazine, a U.S. satellite maneuvered to observe and report on the operations of a British satellite, SKYNET 5A, and then shared that data directly with the U.K. It might sound technical, even routine. But trust me, there’s nothing routine about two satellites traveling at nearly 7,000 miles per hour conducting a rendezvous in space. The risks are real, the complexity immense. And the symbolism? Profound.
Why This Matters
As someone who has worked for years to strengthen ties between our two nations, I see this as more than a demonstration of orbital mechanics. It’s a demonstration of confidence, transparency, and trust. When one ally deliberately maneuvers close to another’s satellite—something that could so easily be misinterpreted if done by an adversary—it takes a deep foundation of partnership to make it not only possible, but celebrated.
For me, this operation is the space-based equivalent of the flypasts I’ve witnessed at air shows, where American and British aircraft fly wingtip-to-wingtip. Different domain, same message: we trust each other, and we operate as one.
Building on a Pattern
This was carried out under the umbrella of Operation Olympic Defender, a multinational coalition that aligns allied space operations and deters hostile activity. The UK joined OOD several years ago, becoming one of the first formal partners. Since then, cooperation has expanded—exchanges between commands, joint training, and now, shared operations in orbit.
And this isn’t happening in isolation. Earlier this year, Space Systems Command and U.K. Space Command launched a new civilian exchange program, embedding personnel on each other’s teams to align space enterprise architecture. It’s not glamorous work, but it’s the kind of foundation you need for true interoperability.
Then there’s the Atlantic Declaration, where our two governments committed to deepen cooperation across commercial space stations, nuclear propulsion research, and heliophysics. All of these pieces fit together: agreements on paper, people on exchange, and satellites maneuvering in orbit.
A Diplomatic Perspective
When I look at this operation, I think not just of satellites and commands, but of people. I think of Major General Paul Tedman in the UK, expressing pride in how far his command has come in such a short time. I think of General Stephen Whiting in the US, pointing out that real warfighting advantage comes when allies act as one team.
I also think of the broader picture: British military officers embedded at Whiteman Air Force Base, Americans and Brits training side by side at Fort Leonard Wood, and yes—even astronauts aboard the International Space Station, working shoulder-to-shoulder without borders.
The message is clear. Whether on land, sea, air, cyber, or now in space—the US and UK stand together.
Looking Ahead
There will be challenges. Space is a contested domain. Adversaries will probe, test, and push boundaries. But what we’ve seen this month proves that our partnership can adapt and evolve just as quickly.
I’m proud of what this moment represents: that our “special relationship” isn’t just rooted in history or shared language—it’s alive and expanding into new frontiers. I find it inspiring to know that 35,000 miles above us, our two nations are literally orbiting together.
And as someone who has dedicated much of my work to strengthening the US-UK bond, I see this not as an end in itself, but as a beginning of a new chapter. A new orbit. A new era of cooperation.
Because when America and Britain move in unison—even in the vacuum of space—the whole world notices.