Major General Tedman joins Seraphim Global Space Council

Seraphim Space – an investment firm focused on SpaceTech – today announced that Major General Paul Tedman CBE has joined its Global Space Futures Advisory Council. Also joining the Council is Lieutenant General P.J.S. Pannu PVSM, AVSM, VSM, PhD, who helped set up India’s Defence Space Agency

Established in April 2026, Seraphim’s Global Space Futures Advisory Council was created to address the key strategic, commercial and geopolitical opportunities and challenges facing the space sector.

The council brings together an internationally representative group of former astronauts, space entrepreneurs, senior investors, policy leaders, national agency directors and senior military leaders. With the addition of Lieutenant General Pannu and Major General Tedman, the council now reflects the growing importance of defence and security within the global space economy.

Broadening cross-border collaboration, sustainability and international cooperation

The Council is designed to provide an internationally representative forum capable of shaping policy thinking and strengthening cross-border collaboration as the global space sector continues to evolve rapidly, with space activity becoming increasingly strategic, commercial and geopolitical.

Its work will centre on structural questions expected to shape the space sector over the coming decade. These include how space infrastructure intersects with national security and energy resilience, the expanding role of space-derived data in climate monitoring, communications and artificial intelligence, the emergence of a more clearly multipolar space economy and the implications of rapid commercial expansion beyond Earth orbit for regulation, sustainability and international cooperation.

The growing strategic importance of the sector is driving unprecedented investment. Seraphim Space analysis shows that SpaceTech funding reached a record $23 billion over the last 12 months, while governments across NATO, Asia and the Indo-Pacific continue to increase spending on space-based defence capabilities. As a result, defence and security are becoming key drivers of innovation, investment and growth across the global space economy.

The Council’s second meeting will take place at World Space Business Week in Paris, where members, including Lieutenant General Pannu and Major General Tedman, will discuss the strategic role of space infrastructure, the resilience of critical national systems, evolving geopolitical risks and opportunities for greater international collaboration. The meeting will help shape a forthcoming Council white paper, among other topics, on the growing role of space in defence and security.

How the Council helps expand understanding of the evolving global space economy

Candace Johnson, Chair of the Seraphim Global Space Futures Advisory Council, said: “It is a pleasure to welcome Lieutenant General Pannu and Major General Tedman to the Global Space Futures Advisory Council. They have both played leading roles in the development of military space capabilities and bring exceptionally valuable perspectives to the Council as it examines the strategic, commercial and geopolitical forces reshaping the global space economy.”

Members of the Council now include:
• Anousheh Ansari – CEO, XPRIZE and first female private space explorer.
• Rob Desborough – General Partner, Seraphim Space and co‑founder of the Seraphim Space Accelerator.
• Pascale Ehrenfreund – President, COSPAR and Research Professor, Space Policy Institute, George Washington University.
• Marco Fuchs – CEO, OHB SE, a leading European satellite manufacturer.
• Masayasu Ishida – Co‑founder and CEO, SPACETIDE and Programme Director, Japan Space Strategy Fund.
• Candace Johnson – Co‑founder of SES and pioneer in global satellite communications.
• Maram Kairé – Director General of the Senegalese Space Agency and renowned Astronomer.
• Lieutenant General P.J.S. Pannu, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Ret.)
• General Paul Tedman CBE, one of Europe’s most senior and experienced military space leaders and, until recently, Commander of UK Space Command
• Ann Winblad – Co‑founder and Managing Director, Hummer Winblad Venture Partners.

Military space experts contribute unique insights and experience

Lieutenant General Pannu served for nearly four decades in the Indian Army, culminating in command of XIV Corps in Ladakh. As Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations), he was involved in the establishment of India’s Defence Space Agency, Defence Cyber Agency and Armed Forces Special Operations Division and led IndSpaceEx, India’s first dedicated space warfare exercise.

Above: Lieutenant General Pannu. Photo Seraphim Space

Since retiring from military service, he has held advisory and leadership positions across the defence and national security sector, including with SIA-India and FICCI. His honours include the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal. Lieutenant General Pannu has also recently published a book called ‘Taramandal Sangram – Space Constellations at War’.

Lieutenant General Pannu said: “Space serves the earth and, when used responsibly, would help preserve mankind. Space in dual use is not only becoming a pivot to national security but also assures collective survival. Space assets in orbit are global agents and therefore need global convergence – Seraphim ensures the collective mobility of these very precious resources.”

Major General Paul Tedman CBE retired from the British Army in 2025 after 30 years of service, the last six at the forefront of allied space operations. As the first non-US officer appointed Deputy J5 at US Space Command, he shaped coalition space policy and strategy at the highest level. He went on to command UK Space Command, transforming it into NATO’s second-largest space command, driving a tenfold increase in operational output and securing £13 billion in defence space investment through the UK’s Defence Investment Plan.

He holds a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), the US Legion of Merit, and two Queen’s Commendations for Valuable Service.

Commenting on his introduction to the council, Major General Tedman said: “I’m delighted to join Seraphim’s Global Space Futures Advisory Council. The convergence of threats in space has never been greater, nor has our dependence on it. Meeting that challenge means identifying the most innovative commercial technologies, investing early and scaling them fast. That is exactly what this Council is positioned to do.”

Rob Desborough, General Partner at Seraphim Space, said: “One of the critical trends we see across the global space economy is the increasing convergence of defence, national security and commercial innovation. At a time when these forces are reshaping the sector, I am delighted to welcome two of the world’s leading military space experts to the Council.”