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US Space Force Collaborates for Orbital Adversary Mission
In October 2023, the US Space Force unveiled an official painting depicting a US spaceplane intercepting an adversarial satellite to prevent it from disabling a friendly satellite. This move signifies the military branch’s readiness to defend its assets and interests in space, showcasing a proactive approach to potential threats in the final frontier.
Partnership with Rocket Lab and True Anomaly
As part of the Victus Haze mission, the US Space Force has engaged with Rocket Lab and True Anomaly to conduct a demonstration mission simulating a response to an orbital adversary. Rocket Lab secured a $32 million contract to develop and launch its spacecraft using the Electron rocket, while True Anomaly received a $30 million contract to create a spacecraft with rendezvous and proximity operation capabilities, along with a command and control center.
The objective of the mission is to exercise a realistic threat response scenario in the on-orbit space domain awareness, as outlined in a statement issued by the Space Systems Command on Thursday. The scheduled launch for this mission is set for 2025, with each company having its launch and mission profiles.
Preparing for Threat Scenarios in Space
Once in orbit, the Space Force plans to use these spacecraft to simulate scenarios that could pose a threat in space, such as a satellite attempting to destroy a US spacecraft or conducting espionage on a US military satellite for intelligence gathering purposes. The project aims to demonstrate the Space Force’s capability to counter irresponsible behavior in orbit under operationally realistic conditions.
Colonel Bryon McClain, Space System Command’s program executive officer for Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power, emphasized the importance of leveraging the commercial space industry’s innovations to address challenges posed by adversaries like China. The Space Force recognizes the need to be prepared for potential conflicts in space and is actively taking steps to enhance its defensive capabilities.
Space Force’s Strategic Initiatives
The Space Force’s initiatives reflect its core mission of safeguarding American interests in space by managing space launches, monitoring objects in orbit, and maintaining critical satellites like Global Positioning Satellites, weather satellites, and communication satellites. Additionally, the Space Force is committed to advancing space-based capabilities and technologies to stay ahead in the evolving space domain landscape.
With its structured approach to readiness and response, the Space Force is positioning itself as a formidable presence in space defense, marking a new era of military preparedness and strategic foresight in outer space.
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