Rocket Lab and True Anomaly will attempt to deliver and operate space hardware for the military on intentionally tight timelines, part of the Space Force’s efforts to solicit “tactically responsive” space capabilities from commercial companies.
Each company will design and build a satellite capable of meeting other spacecraft in nearby orbit, as well as command and control centers for the mission. As part of Rocket Lab’s $32 million contract, Rocket Lab will also launch the satellite with its Electron rocket. True Anomaly will partner with an unnamed “trusted commercial launch provider” for its ride under its own $30 million deal, according to a release.
Notably, True Anomaly said it will also “raise $30 million in internal private capital” for the mission, so it will spend a total of $60 million to defend its Jackal for this contract.
The target for delivery of the spacecraft under the contract, named Victus Haze, is set for fall 2025. Once the spacecraft is built, the two companies will enter successive phases, including a “hot standby” phase. where they will essentially have to remain ready to respond to requests from the Ministry. of Defense to manifest the satellite and launch it. Once in orbit, Rocket Lab and True Anomaly must quickly commission and prepare their spacecraft for operations – with each other.
If all goes as planned, Rocket Lab’s Pioneer satellite will conduct so-called rendezvous and proximity operations with True Anomaly’s Jackal spacecraft.
The new contracts are similar to those awarded to Firefly and Millennium Space in 2022, which saw Millennium deliver the satellite for launch by Firefly. This mission, called Victus Nox, was executed last September. As part of this mission, the two companies had to integrate the payload and prepare the rocket in less than 58 hours; Then, Firefly only had 24 hours to launch.
Although the exact timelines for the Victus Haze mission have not been disclosed by either Rocket Lab or True Anomaly, the former company said in a statement that the mission will “improve…processes and timelines.”
The new mission also includes a handful of ambitious additional requirements, such as maneuvering a spacecraft into orbit, meant to simulate a real-life rendezvous with an adversary satellite.
“We recognize the significant opportunity to leverage innovations in the commercial space industry to counter China as America’s major threat,” Col. Bryon McClain, Space Systems Command program manager, said in a statement . “The United States has the most innovative space industry in the world. Victus Haze will demonstrate, under realistic operational conditions, our ability to respond to irresponsible behavior in orbit.
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