First-of-its-kind Earth orbit military exercise by US Space Force imminent

The United States Space Force is gearing up for a groundbreaking event, set to conduct its first-ever in-orbit combat exercise by the fall of 2025. This exercise, dubbed ‘Victus Haze,’ will mark a significant moment in military history.

According to the Space Systems Command (SSC), the Space Force has entered into contracts with Rocket Lab National Security and True Anomaly. These agreements are designed to procure space vehicles capable of rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), as well as the necessary command and control centers to facilitate the ‘Victus Haze’ mission.

The vehicles, including True Anomaly’s ‘the Jackal’ and another from Rocket Lab yet to be named, will be used to showcase the U.S. Space Force’s capability to address and respond to adverse actions in orbit under conditions that mimic real-world operations.

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has already committed a $32 million contract to Rocket Lab National Security for this purpose. Additionally, SpaceWERX is set to award a contract to True Anomaly.

The total budget for the mission is estimated at $60 million, with half being provided by the government and the remaining funds coming from internal private capital raised by True Anomaly.

Lt. Col. MacKenzie Birchenough, SSC’s materiel leader for Space Safari, emphasized the rapid advancement of the commercial space industry and its role in enhancing the Space Force’s capabilities to swiftly address adversarial threats. She noted that ‘Victus Haze’ would validate tactics and technologies for future Tactical Responsive Space (TacRS) operations aimed at meeting immediate on-orbit needs of Combatant Commands.

Col. Bryon McClain, the SSC’s program executive officer for Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power, highlighted the importance of tapping into the commercial space sector’s innovations to maintain a competitive edge over global threats, particularly from China. He affirmed that the ‘Victus Haze’ mission would demonstrate the U.S.’s capacity to effectively respond to irresponsible behaviors in space under realistic operational conditions, showcasing the innovative prowess of the American space industry.