Cedar Park, Texas - Firefly Aerospace, Inc., a leading end-to-end space transportation company, and True Anomaly, Inc., a cutting-edge space defense technology firm, announced a significant multi-launch agreement on October 17, 2024. This strategic partnership involves three responsive launch missions aboard Firefly's Alpha rocket, with the first mission aimed at deploying True Anomaly's Jackal Autonomous Orbital Vehicle (AOV) for the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command's VICTUS HAZE Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) mission targeted for 2025.
New multi-launch agreement between Firefly Aerospace and True Anomaly includes three Alpha missions to provide rapid launch capabilities for Tactically Responsive Space mission sets
and the private sector, showcasing the potential for rapid development and deployment of cutting-edge space technologies. According to Even Rogers, CEO of True Anomaly, "VICTUS HAZE is an exemplar for how strong partnerships between the U.S. government and an exceptional industry team can create asymmetric capabilities at record speeds." Rogers praised Firefly Aerospace's innovative approach to responsive space launch logistics and vehicle deployment.
Key Phases of the Mission
Under the agreement, True Anomaly will execute four main phases: build, hot standby, launch, and on-orbit operations. During the build phase, True Anomaly will develop and test the Jackal AOV at its GravityWorks factory in Denver, Colorado. The company will then transport the vehicle to Firefly's SLC-2 payload processing facility at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, for fueling, integration, and encapsulation in Alpha's fairing.
Once the payload is encapsulated, the True Anomaly and Firefly joint mission team will enter the hot standby phase, remaining on call until the U.S. Space Force provides the notice to launch. Firefly's team will then have 24 hours to transport the payload fairing to the pad, mate the fairing to Alpha, fuel the rocket, and launch within the first available window. Upon successful deployment of the Jackal spacecraft, True Anomaly will begin its on-orbit operations, operating near a second VICTUS HAZE performer, Rocket Lab National Security.
Firefly Aerospace's proven track record in responsive space launch capabilities was a key factor in securing this agreement. In September 2023, Firefly successfully launched the U.S. Space Force's VICTUS NOX mission following a 24-hour notice, demonstrating its ability to respond rapidly to urgent on-orbit needs. Jason Kim, CEO at Firefly Aerospace, expressed his team's readiness to support another rapid launch for tactically responsive space.
The partnership between Firefly Aerospace and True Anomaly underscores the growing importance of collaborative efforts in advancing space technology. With the ability to respond quickly to emerging threats or needs, the U.S. National Security Space enterprise will benefit from standing capacity in Low Earth Orbit and Medium Earth Orbit. As the space landscape continues to evolve, this agreement sets the stage for further innovation and development in responsive space launch capabilities.
The multi-launch agreement also highlights Firefly Aerospace's commitment to supporting national security space missions. With two additional missions available for execution between 2025 and 2027, the company is poised to play a critical role in enhancing the U.S. Space Force's tactical responsiveness. As the demand for responsive space launch capabilities continues to grow, Firefly Aerospace and True Anomaly are well-positioned to meet this need.
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