The Space Force is developing an annual cadence of Tactically Responsive Space missions to quickly respond to real-time threats. Since 2021, the service has conducted two responsive space missions and plans a third in 2025. Demonstrations like Victus Nox showed the ability to deliver spacecraft in months with just 27 hours of notice.
Operational missions are set to start in 2026, with ongoing Victus series demonstrations. Lt. Gen. Phillip Garrant emphasized agility and speed to address threats. Tactically responsive space aims to react quickly to threats in an increasingly congested and adversarial space environment.
The Space Force’s 2025 demonstration, Victus Haze, focuses on rapid threat response. As Congress supports efforts, the House Armed Services Committee urges the development of options for on-orbit spares in fiscal 2025 policy legislation. The committee notes the need to defend national security systems from threats.
The draft bill calls for a market survey to determine capabilities and timelines of defense companies. It also considers the potential for an orbital testbed facility for testing and demonstrating satellite utility. Courtney Albon is C4ISRNET’s space and emerging technology reporter, focusing on the U.S. military, Air Force, and Space Force since 2012.
