Rocket Lab and True Anomaly Secure Contracts for "Tactically Responsive Space" Mission for US Space Force

In an exciting development for the US Space Force, space services company Rocket Lab and startup True Anomaly have announced that they have secured contracts to launch a "tactically responsive space" mission. Valued at $32 million and $30 million respectively, these contracts will facilitate the launch of a mission called Victus Haze, which aims to test and enhance the military's capabilities in rapidly deploying satellites to address threats in space.

The Victus Haze mission will involve the launch of an imaging satellite, with the purpose of inspecting a suspicious object in orbit. Rocket Lab has been entrusted with the task of designing, building, launching, and operating a rendezvous and proximity operation-capable spacecraft for this mission. The target delivery date for this spacecraft is set for 2025.

Once the exercise commences, Rocket Lab will receive notification to launch the spacecraft and place it into a designated orbit using their Electron rocket. On orbit, the spacecraft will execute maneuvers alongside True Anomaly's Jackal spacecraft, enabling the testing of vital military space operational capabilities.

Rapid launch and deployment of satellites have become a significant priority for military space operations. This mission is part of the Space Force's broader initiative to develop more agile space systems that can be swiftly sent into orbit. The Victus Haze mission follows the path of the successful Victus Knox mission, which was launched in September aboard a Firefly rocket.

Under the terms of the contract, True Anomaly, headquartered in Centennial, Colorado, will be responsible for constructing a Jackal rendezvous and proximity operation-capable spacecraft, as well as providing a command and control center. True Anomaly recently launched its first two Jackal spacecraft on March 4, as part of the Transporter-10 SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare mission. Although the mission faced challenges and was not entirely successful, with some test objectives remaining unmet, True Anomaly's participation in the Victus Haze project marks a new opportunity to contribute to the development of robust military space technologies.

Funding for the Victus Haze project has been provided by the Defense Innovation Unit, the Space Systems Command's Space Safari Program Office, and SpaceWERX, which serves as the Space Force's technology arm. With these partnerships and resources in place, the US Space Force is continuing its efforts to advance its capabilities in space operations and maintain national security.

Overall, the collaboration between Rocket Lab and True Anomaly in securing contracts for the Victus Haze mission demonstrates the commitment and innovation being fostered within the space industry to meet the evolving needs of national defense. As the development and deployment of agile space systems progress, the US Space Force, along with its partners, will continue to pave the way for a more responsive and secure space environment.