EL
SEGUNDO, Calif., Sept. 18,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Millennium Space Systems, a
Boeing [NYSE: BA] company, completed checkout and achieved
operational readiness of the VICTUS NOX space vehicle just 37
hours after lunch – 11 hours ahead of the 48-hour goal. This phase
of a space mission typically takes weeks or months to complete.
"Conducting space vehicle initialization and achieving mission
readiness in record time demonstrates a dramatic shift in the way
we deliver and operate in, from and to space," said Col
Erik Stockham, senior materiel
leader, Acquisition Delta Space Warfighting at Space Systems
Command. "The VICTUS NOX team's unwavering focus on speed, while
maintaining quality and safety standards, proves that we can
respond to warfighting needs on tactically relevant timelines."
Full-mission operability comes only days after the 60-hour
activation and 24-hour launch notifications were given by Space
Force leadership, September 8 and
September 13, respectively. The team
completed the activation phase in under 58 hours, including the
transportation of the vehicle, fueling and integration to the
payload adaptor. In less than 24 hours, Firefly Aerospace then
successfully completed the launch phase, including updating
trajectory software, encapsulating the satellite, mating it to the
Alpha launch vehicle and conducting all final launch preparations.
A flawless launch occurred during the first available window at
7:28 p.m. PDT, September 14.
"VICTUS NOX is a critical measure toward ensuring advantage
through a resilient space order of battle in any environment," said
Jason Kim, chief executive officer,
Millennium Space Systems. "With the initial phases complete, we're
now in VICTUS NOX full-mission operations. This program is paving
the way for future Tactically Responsive Space missions."
As with any mission, the first exciting moment is making initial
contact with the satellite. The Millennium team accomplished that
on the satellite's first scheduled contact. From there, the team
went into a vigorous initialization phase to enable space domain
awareness operations.
"What made VICTUS NOX more exciting than usual was getting the
satellite online in such a rapid timeline, and we were able to do
that in 37 hours," said Andrew Chau,
VICTUS NOX program manager, Millennium Space Systems. "To achieve
this on the heels of near back-to-back activation and launch phases
is an amazing feat to prove out a tactically responsive space
capability."
The success of VICTUS NOX is attributed to continuous
collaboration between Millennium Space Systems, Firefly Aerospace,
Space Operations Command, Space Readiness and Training Command and
Space Systems Command, including the Space Safari Program Office
and the Small Launch and Targets Division.
The company's ability to quickly pivot and deliver VICTUS NOX on
unprecedented timelines demonstrates alignment with Department of
Defense and Space Force capability requirements. Millennium Space
Systems and its parent company, Boeing, are delivering resilient
capabilities across all segments of the national security space
architecture to maintain the nation's space advantage, from
tactically responsive space and missile warning and tracking to
protected satellite communications.
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.
Media Contact:
Dana Carroll
dana.carroll@millennium-space.com
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SOURCE Millennium Space Systems