Firefly joins NRO launch provider pool with Alpha rocket

Firefly joins NRO launch provider pool with Alpha rocket
Firefly joins NRO launch provider pool with Alpha rocket

Firefly is already on contract and will “support a responsive on-orbit mission for the NRO” using the Alpha small launcher and its Elytra on-orbit vehicle for hosting payloads.

Victus Nox nails Space Force 24-hours-to-launch goal

Victus Nox nails Space Force 24-hours-to-launch goal
Victus Nox nails Space Force 24-hours-to-launch goal

“This mission highlights significant progress towards meeting emerging challenges in space,” said Lt. Col. MacKenzie Birchenough, materiel leader for SSC’s Space Safari office.

24 hours to launch: Space Force, DIU kick off new ‘Tactically Responsive Space’ mission

24 hours to launch: Space Force, DIU kick off new ‘Tactically Responsive Space’ mission
24 hours to launch: Space Force, DIU kick off new ‘Tactically Responsive Space’ mission

The program, called Victus Haze, builds on the on-going Space Systems Command Victus Nox mission to rapidly launch a prototype satellite for keeping tabs on objects in low Earth orbit.

AFRL taps Ursa Major for hypersonic, space launch engines

AFRL taps Ursa Major for hypersonic, space launch engines
AFRL taps Ursa Major for hypersonic, space launch engines

Responsive launch is enabled by the fact that Draper’s hydrogen peroxide fuel is easily storable, Ursa Major CEO Joe Laurienti told Breaking Defense, which cuts down prelaunch logistics — whereas other highly toxic liquid fuels often used to provide the high thrust needed for a missile to reach hypersonic speeds (Mach 5 and above) require special handling.

Rocket Lab’s Electron lifts off at last from US soil

Rocket Lab’s Electron lifts off at last from US soil
Rocket Lab’s Electron lifts off at last from US soil

“Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 is designed to serve the responsive space needs of commercial, civil, defense, and national security customers, supporting up to 12 missions per year,” the company said.

Rocket Lab aims for rapid launch capability at new Virginia complex, with a Friday first

Rocket Lab aims for rapid launch capability at new Virginia complex, with a Friday first
Rocket Lab aims for rapid launch capability at new Virginia complex, with a Friday first

“Those of us who follow the space industry closely understand the autonomous flight termination is a key component of the range of the future. In fact, for DoD missions, autonomous flight termination is a mandate by 2025,” said NASA’s David Pierce.

Rocket Lab prepares for first launch from US, as it eyes national security growth

Rocket Lab prepares for first launch from US, as it eyes national security growth
Rocket Lab prepares for first launch from US, as it eyes national security growth

Peter Beck, the firm’s CEO, has big plans to follow the first launch from his new US facility.

24 hours from ‘go’: Next Space Force ‘responsive launch’ experiment aims to loft satellite in a hurry

24 hours from ‘go’: Next Space Force ‘responsive launch’ experiment aims to loft satellite in a hurry
24 hours from ‘go’: Next Space Force ‘responsive launch’ experiment aims to loft satellite in a hurry

“We have spent a lot of time admiring the problem of how to be responsive in space,” SSC head Lt. Gen. Michael Guetlein said. “We are done admiring the problem and we are getting after the combatant commands’ need to truly protect and defend the peaceful use of space.”

Lawmakers petition for $50M defense spending for tactically responsive space launch

Lawmakers petition for $50M defense spending for tactically responsive space launch
Lawmakers petition for $50M defense spending for tactically responsive space launch

The Senate version of the 2022 defense appropriations bill also includes $50 million, a House aide explained, but the House version only includes $5 million.

SMC’s Space Safari Office To Focus On ‘Urgent’ Launch Needs

SMC’s Space Safari Office To Focus On ‘Urgent’ Launch Needs
SMC’s Space Safari Office To Focus On ‘Urgent’ Launch Needs

So-called ‘responsive launch,’ the ability to launch practically on demand, has been a Holy Grail for the Pentagon for more than a decade with arguably not much real-world progress.

Build, Upgrade Satellites Fast For Space Resilience: Aerospace Corp.

Build, Upgrade Satellites Fast For Space Resilience: Aerospace Corp.
Build, Upgrade Satellites Fast For Space Resilience: Aerospace Corp.

“Upfront investments are necessary to break the vicious cycle in which current DOD high-value assets are stuck” to increase space resiliency, the Aerospace Corp. study argues.

AFRL Tests Launch Tech For ‘Austere’ Sites

AFRL Tests Launch Tech For ‘Austere’ Sites
AFRL Tests Launch Tech For ‘Austere’ Sites

ABL’s planned timeline would see the vehicle integration of the RS-1 this quarter, with a test launch in the third quarter of this year and the first commercial launch sometime after the end of the year. 

DoD Rethinks Launch Needs To Counter Russia, China

DoD Rethinks Launch Needs To Counter Russia, China
DoD Rethinks Launch Needs To Counter Russia, China

ULA CEO Tony Bruno says he “would not be surprised” if the Air Force National Security Space Launch Phase 3 competition includes a requirement for responsive launch.

Build Bare-Bones Network & Small Satellites For Multi-Domain Battle

Build Bare-Bones Network & Small Satellites For Multi-Domain Battle
Build Bare-Bones Network & Small Satellites For Multi-Domain Battle

WASHINGTON: The Navy wants the Army’s help win a future Multi-Domain Battle with China, a senior defense official told me last week, but to get it, the two services have to connect through a simple, robust network using small and rapidly-launched satellites. We don’t need massive bandwidth to handle video teleconferences, full motion video from drones,…