Firefly to launch True Anomaly’s Jackal vehicle for U.S. Space Force mission

WASHINGTON — Space technology firm True Anomaly has selected Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket to launch its autonomous Jackal orbital vehicle for a U.S. Space Force rapid-response demonstration mission, the companies announced Oct. 17.

Colorado-based True Anomaly will support the military’s Victus Haze mission, scheduled for 2025 as part of the Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) program. The partnership with Firefly includes provisions for two additional missions, as both companies aim to strengthen their position in the military’s rapid-response space operations sector.

Victus Haze will test the Space Force’s ability to counter orbital threats on short notice. The mission involves a complex choreography between True Anomaly’s Jackal spacecraft and a separate vehicle from Rocket Lab, which will conduct proximity operations once in orbit.

“Victus Haze pushes the boundaries further by requiring a launch within just 24 hours of receiving an order, with operations beginning shortly after the satellites reach orbit,” Firefly said in a statement.

The mission builds on Firefly’s September 2023 launch of a Millennium Space satellite for the Victus Nox TacRS mission, marking the company’s second collaboration with the Space Force.

Even Rogers, True Anomaly’s CEO, praised Firefly’s track record, noting their “innovation and agility in the rapidly evolving landscape of responsive space launch logistics and space vehicle deployment.”

Mission preparations will see True Anomaly complete development and testing of its Jackal Autonomous Orbital Vehicle at its Denver facility before shipping to Firefly’s processing facility at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The payload will remain in “hot standby” status until the Space Force initiates the 24-hour launch sequence.

Once the launch order is given, Firefly must complete payload integration, rocket fueling, and launch operations within the compressed 24-hour timeframe.

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