Firefly Aerospace and Millennium Space Systems Stand Ready for Responsive U.S. Space Force Mission

Rhea-AI Summary

Firefly Aerospace and Millennium Space Systems have entered the hot standby phase for the VICTUS NOX mission, led by Space Systems Command's Space Safari Program Office. The team is prepared for a 24-hour callup and is ready to complete final operations and launch at the first available window. The mission aims to demonstrate the ability to complete nominal launch operations in a matter of hours rather than weeks to months.

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.

FAQ

What is the VICTUS NOX mission?

The VICTUS NOX mission is a Tactically Responsive Space mission led by Space Systems Command's Space Safari Program Office.

Who are the companies involved in the VICTUS NOX mission?

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. and Millennium Space Systems are the companies involved in the VICTUS NOX mission.

What is the purpose of the VICTUS NOX mission?

The purpose of the VICTUS NOX mission is to demonstrate the ability to complete nominal launch operations in a matter of hours.

What is the role of Firefly Aerospace in the VICTUS NOX mission?

Firefly Aerospace is the alpha launch provider for the VICTUS NOX mission.

What is the role of Millennium Space Systems in the VICTUS NOX mission?

Millennium Space Systems is the payload provider for the VICTUS NOX mission.

What is the hot standby phase?

The hot standby phase is a six-month period where the mission team waits for activation at an intentionally unknown time.

What happens during the hot standby phase?

During the hot standby phase, the payload is transported to Vandenberg Space Force Base, fueling operations are conducted, and the payload is integrated with Firefly's Alpha payload adaptor.

What happens after the hot standby phase?

After the hot standby phase, Firefly will receive a launch notice from Space Force officials with the final orbit requirements.

What is the Space Domain Awareness mission?

The Space Domain Awareness mission is the mission that Millennium will begin operations for after deploying the payload in low Earth orbit.

What preparations were made for the VICTUS NOX mission?

Firefly manufactured and acceptance tested each critical component, engine, and vehicle stage for its Alpha rocket. Multiple rehearsals were also conducted.

What is the goal of the VICTUS NOX mission?

The goal of the VICTUS NOX mission is to demonstrate the U.S.'s ability to rapidly respond to on-orbit needs in the evolving space environment.