Alpha launch provider, Firefly, and payload
provider, Millennium, moved into the hot standby phase and wait for
the VICTUS NOX callup
VANDENBERG
SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif., Aug. 30,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Firefly Aerospace, Inc., an
end-to-end space transportation company, and Millennium Space
Systems, a Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) small satellite constellation
prime, have entered the hot standby phase for VICTUS NOX, a
Tactically Responsive Space mission led by Space Systems Command's
(SSC) Space Safari Program Office. The team stands ready for the
24-hour callup and orbit requirements to complete final operations
and launch at the first available window.
"Challenging missions like this is where Firefly excels, and we
are extremely humbled and proud to provide the U.S. Space Force and
the nation with the critical capability to launch on-demand in
support of national security," said Bill
Weber, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. "Together with our mission
partners, we'll be setting a new standard, proving nominal launch
operations can be completed in a matter of hours rather than weeks
to months."
Millennium and Firefly have entered a six-month hot standby
phase and will wait for activation at an intentionally unknown
time. During this phase, the U.S. Space Force will give the mission
team an alert notification, kicking off a 60-hour window to
transport the payload to Vandenberg Space
Force Base, conduct fueling operations, and integrate it
with Firefly's Alpha payload adaptor.
Space Force officials will then issue Firefly a launch notice
with the final orbit requirements. The Firefly team will have 24
hours to update the trajectory and guidance software, encapsulate
the payload, transport it to the pad, mate to Alpha, and stand
ready to launch at the first available window. Once the
payload is deployed in low Earth orbit, Millennium will attempt to
fully initialize the space vehicle in less than 48 hours and then
begin operations for its Space Domain Awareness (SDA)
mission.
"What we're doing with VICTUS NOX has never been done before,
and I attribute our success to the dedication and teamwork of our
collective team – Millennium, Firefly, and SSC's Space Safari and
Rocket Systems Launch Program (RSLP) offices," said Jason Kim, CEO of Millennium Space Systems. "You
need to have the willingness to know that there will be changes –
whether requirements or processes. That's where the teamwork and
close partnerships really came into play. It's about what help is
needed to address a challenge – on all sides – and everyone
pitching in to support that."
In preparation for the mission, Firefly manufactured and
acceptance tested each critical component, engine, and vehicle
stage for its Alpha rocket in addition to conducting a static fire
to verify all systems operate within flight parameters. Firefly and
Millennium also completed multiple rehearsals in preparation for
launch, which included packing and delivering a satellite mockup to
Firefly's integration facility at Vandenberg Space Force Base to practice all
launch operations within the prescribed 24 hours.
"The U.S.'s ability to rapidly respond to on-orbit needs is
critical to our national defense, particularly in today's evolving
space environment," said Lt. Col. MacKenzie
Birchenough, Materiel Leader for Space Safari. "The
accelerated build time the team demonstrated for VICTUS NOX,
combined with the demanding launch and on-orbit goals, exemplifies
our strong commitment to preserving our nation's dominance and
ability to freely operate in the space domain."
About Firefly Aerospace
Firefly is an end-to-end space
transportation company with launch, lunar, and on-orbit services.
As an all-American company headquartered in central Texas, Firefly is focused on delivering
responsive, reliable, and affordable space access for government
and commercial customers. Firefly's small- to medium-lift launch
vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide the space
industry with a single source for missions from low Earth orbit to
the surface of the Moon and beyond. For more information, visit
www.fireflyspace.com.
About Millennium Space Systems
Millennium Space
Systems, a Boeing Company, is a small satellite prime, delivering
high-performance constellation solutions for National Security
Space. Founded in 2001, the company's active production lines and
80% vertical integration enable the rapid delivery of small
satellites across missions and orbits – LEO, MEO and GEO. For more
information, visit www.millennium-space.com.
About Space Systems Command
Space Systems Command (SSC) is the U.S. Space Force's field command
responsible for acquiring and delivering resilient war fighting
capabilities to protect our nation's strategic advantage in and
from space. SSC manages a $15 billion
space acquisition budget for the Department of Defense and works in
partnership with joint forces, industry, government agencies,
academic and allied organizations to accelerate innovation and
outpace emerging threats. Our actions today are making the world a
better space for tomorrow. For more information, visit
www.ssc.spaceforce.mil.
Contact
press@fireflyspace.com
dana.carroll@millennium-space.com
sscpa.media@spaceforce.mil
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SOURCE Firefly Aerospace, Inc.