True Anomaly and Rocket Lab conduct orbital intercept missions for US Space Force
Tags Defense Tech · Space · Infrastructure · Enterprise
Colorado-based True Anomaly and Rocket Lab are flying Jackal autonomous orbital vehicles on proximity operations missions for the US Space Force under the Victus Haze program. The Jackal spacecraft perform 'Top Gun-style satellite fly-bys' to demonstrate tactical responsiveness in orbit. True Anomaly's contract is valued at $32 million; Rocket Lab provides the Electron launch vehicle. The missions mark a shift toward commercially operated, military-relevant on-orbit maneuvering.
Technical significance
These missions validate a new operational model where commercial companies execute tactically relevant orbital maneuvers on behalf of military customers. This blurs the line between commercial and defense space infrastructure, creating a dual-use supply chain that can be surged in conflict. The $32M contract is small but establishes precedent for procuring orbital mobility as a service rather than building dedicated military satellites.