Britain has launched its first ever “Defence Space Strategy,” which outlines how the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will protect the UK’s national interests in space in an era of “ever-growing threats.” As part of the strategy (pdf) published on Feb. 1, the UK will invest £1.4 billion ($1.9 billion) to bolster the number of British satellites in space. UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “It’s crucial we continue to push the frontiers of our defence space ambitions, enhancing our military resilience and strengthening our nation’s security. “This significant investment will help to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of space innovation and one step ahead of our competitors.” According to the MoD, £968 million ($1.3 billion) will be committed over the next 10 years to deliver a multi-satellite system—known as the ISTARI Programme—to support greater global surveillance and intelligence for military operations. A further £61 million ($82 million) will …