The U.S. Space Force announced that Firefly Aerospace successfully launched a small Millennium Space satellite on September 14; this mission was designed to demonstrate launch capabilities in a much shorter time frame than is typical for national security missions. The Space Force mission known as Victus Nox was flown on a Firefly Alpha rocket. The aircraft launched at 7:28 p.m. Pacific time from Space Launch Complex 2 West at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, Space Systems Command said in a news release.

Firefly did not livestream the launch at the government’s request.

“As part of a major development by the Tactical Responsive Space Systems Command and Firefly Aerospace, they successfully encapsulated a spacecraft built by Millennium Space Systems, paired it with Firefly’s Alpha launch vehicle, and completed all preparations for the final launch within 24 hours.” said the command.

Firefly and Millennium were selected for the Victus Nox mission last year. The companies announced Aug. 30 that they were in “hot mode” awaiting notification from the Space Force. After receiving the alert, the companies had a 60-hour window to transport the payload to the Firefly launch site at Vandenberg, conduct refueling operations, and integrate it with the Alpha rocket’s payload adapter.

“After activation, the spacecraft was transported 265 miles from the Millennium Facility in El Segundo to Vandenberg Space Force Base, where it was tested, fueled, and installed in the launch adapter in less than 58 hours, much faster than the typical weekly or weekly schedule.” It was fast, months,” Space Systems Command said.

Ready for first launch window

After the Space Force gave Firefly a final challenge on launch and orbital parameters, the company had 24 hours to update the orbiter, encapsulate the payload, move it to the pad, and be ready for launch in the first available window.

“The launch occurred within the first available launch window, 27 hours after launch orders were received, setting a new record for the fastest space launch,” said Lt. Gen. Michael Gathlein, Space Systems Command commander.

“This exercise is part of an end-to-end demonstration of the space tactical response, proving that the U.S. Space Force can rapidly integrate capabilities and respond to aggression when called upon in a tactically relevant time frame,” Gathlein said.

Victus Nox was Firefly’s third launch. As part of that mission, the company said it was testing Alpha’s second stage re-illumination and targeting re-entry. The precision space program is managed by the Space Systems Command Space Safari Program Office and Rocket Launch Program.

“Now in orbit, the next goal is to launch the spacecraft and have it operational in less than 48 hours,” said Lt. Col. Mackenzie Birchenow, Space Safari logistics chief.

The previous precision space mission was launched aboard Northrop Grumman’s Pegasus in June 2021.