Space Systems Command (SSC) recently awarded two separate task orders for its upcoming Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) mission, VICTUS NOX (Latin for “conquer the night”) — a responsive space operational demonstration in which a satellite is deployed on an operationally relevant timeline. Both contract actions are integral to the end-to-end operational demonstration.
The mission is comprised of the launch segment, space segment, ground segment, and operations. VICTUS NOX builds upon the success of the first TacRS demonstration, which launched in June of 2021. VICTUS NOX will perform a Space Domain Awareness (SDA) mission from LEO.
SSC awarded a launch service task order to Firefly Space Transport Services on September 29, 2022, for a single launch service, with a launch window in 2023 as part of the VICTUS NOX TacRS mission.
The task order was awarded using the Orbital Services Program (OSP)-4 IDIQ contract. This is the third awarded OSP-4 mission and builds on one of the U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) objectives: supporting Department of Defense and other U.S. government agencies with flexible and innovative small launch capabilities.
Also, on August 15, 2022, in support of this mission, Millennium Space Systems, a U.S.-incorporated, wholly-owned subsidiary of Boeing Company, was awarded a task order to deliver the space and ground systems. The order includes the spacecraft bus, sensor payload, space vehicle integration, ground segment, and on-orbit operations.
“This end-to-end mission will demonstrate the United States’ ability to rapidly place an asset on-orbit when and where we need it, ensuring we can augment our space capabilities with very little notice,” said Lt. Col. MacKenzie Birchenough, Materiel Leader at SSC’s Space Safari.
“Space Systems Command is committed to addressing threats in the space domain and VICTUS NOX will provide space capabilities on an unprecedented timeline,” said Lt. Col. Justin Beltz, SSC’s Small Launch and Targets Division, chief. “The United States’ launch industry is the envy of the world, innovating to bring more speed and more capability at a lower price.”
Space Systems Command, headquartered at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California, is the USSF Field Command responsible for rapidly developing, acquiring, equipping, fielding, and sustaining lethal and resilient space capabilities. SSC mission capability areas include launch acquisition and operations, communications and positioning, navigation and timing (PNT), space sensing, battle management command, control, and communications (BMC3), and space domain awareness & combat power. we have the experience and capacity to respond to the latest demands.”