TacRS-4: Victus Haze Puma – Electron(fl90)/Photon(fl3) – Mahia LC-1A (NZ) – 19.06.2025 10:19 UTC

[zandr]

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7546

VICTUS HAZE
Launch Time
NET October, 2025
Rocket  Electron/Photon

Спойлер

Image Credit: Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab
Status: Active
Price: $7.5 million
Liftoff Thrust: 224 kN
Payload to LEO: 320 kg
Stages: 3
Strap-ons: 0
Rocket Height: 18.0 m
Fairing Diameter: 1.2 m
Fairing Height: 4.05 m

[свернуть]

Mission Details
VICTUS HAZE
VICTUS HAZE will see Rocket Lab design, build, launch, and operate a rendezvous proximity operation (RPO) capable spacecraft. SSC's Space Safari's VICTUS HAZE mission will be an exercise of a realistic threat-response scenario and on-orbit space domain awareness (SDA) demonstration. Once the spacecraft build is complete, Rocket Lab will be entered into a Hot Standby Phase awaiting further direction. Once the exercise begins, Rocket Lab will be given notice to launch the spacecraft into a target orbit. After reaching orbit, the spacecraft will be rapidly commissioned and readied for operations. Rocket Lab will configure a Pioneer class spacecraft bus to meet the unique requirements of the VICTUS HAZE mission.
The mission will improve Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) processes and timelines, demonstrating the ability to respond to on-orbit threats on very short timelines and validating techniques for space domain awareness (SDA) and on-orbit characterization. Rocket Lab's constellation-class production capability and discriminating technical capabilities in the areas of in-space propulsion, precision attitude control, low latency communications, and autonomous operations are key enablers for this mission.
Payloads: 1    Total Mass: 190.0 kg    Low Earth Orbit

Location
Māhia Peninsula, New Zealand

[zandr]

Ранее

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240411809011/en/Rocket-Lab-Selected-by-Space-Systems-Command-to-Build-and-Launch-Spacecraft-for-Tactically-Responsive-Space-TacRS-Mission

Rocket Lab Selected by Space Systems Command to Build and Launch Spacecraft for Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) Mission

Теперь
https://rocketlabcorp.com/updates/rocket-lab-clears-integration-milestone-for-victus-haze-delivering-end-to-end-capabilities-for-responsive-space-operations/

Rocket Lab Clears Integration Milestone for VICTUS HAZE, Delivering End-to-End Capabilities for Responsive Space Operations
Long Beach, Calif. August 6, 2025 – Rocket Lab National Security LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rocket Lab USA (Nasdaq: RKLB) ("Rocket Lab" or "the Company"), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced the successful completion of their Systems Integration Review (SIR) for the U.S. Space Force's (USSF) VICTUS HAZE mission, part of Space Systems Command's (SSC) Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) program, led by Space Safari, in partnership with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU).
The SIR was completed in May and marked a critical program milestone, confirming that all spacecraft components, systems, and software were ready for final integration and testing. The milestone followed Rocket Lab's successful Critical Design Review earlier in the year, which validated the mission design and cleared the way for production. Following the SIR, Rocket Lab completed spacecraft integration, and the vehicle is now entering final testing just 15 months after contract award, underscoring Rocket Lab's speed and efficiency.
Rocket Lab is the only provider delivering a complete, end-to-end mission solution to Space Safari. This includes satellite design, component manufacturing, satellite integration and testing, flight and ground software, mission and launch licensing, launch, commissioning, and on-orbit operations. Rocket Lab owns the entire mission lifecycle, simplifying program execution, reducing cost and schedule risk, and enabling rapid, responsive delivery.
"VICTUS HAZE is about more than responsive launch, it's about ensuring the U.S. can act at the speed of need in a contested space domain," said Brad Clevenger, President of Rocket Lab National Security. "With Rocket Lab's flight-proven systems and fully integrated mission capability, we're uniquely positioned to deliver the agility, speed, and reliability that national security demands."

Спойлер

VICTUS HAZE will be a proving ground for how Rocket Lab can rapidly build, deploy, and operate spacecraft in response to emergent U.S. national security needs. The mission will demonstrate the ability to launch and conduct rendezvous and proximity operations on tactically relevant timelines, showcasing what's possible when commercial innovation is applied to national defense priorities.
By leveraging commercial partners like Rocket Lab, the program supports broader USSF goals accelerating the transition from demonstration of responsive space concepts to fully operational national security capabilities.
Rocket Lab will complete final environmental testing and readiness milestones in the coming months.

[свернуть]

Rocket Lab National Security LLC, дочерняя компания Rocket Lab USA (Nasdaq: RKLB) ( «Rocket Lab» или «Компания»), мирового лидера в области пусковых услуг и космических систем, сегодня объявила об успешном завершении обзора системной интеграции (SIR) для миссии VICTUS HAZE Космических сил США (USSF), которая является частью программы тактического реагирования в космосе (TacRS) Командования космических систем (SSC), возглавляемой Space Safari в партнерстве с Отделом оборонных инноваций (DIU).
Испытание SIR было завершено в мае и стало важнейшей вехой программы, подтвердившей готовность всех компонентов, систем и программного обеспечения космического аппарата к окончательной интеграции и испытаниям. Этому событию предшествовало успешное прохождение Rocket Lab критического анализа конструкции в начале года, который подтвердил проект миссии и открыл путь к производству. После испытания SIR Rocket Lab завершила интеграцию космического аппарата, и теперь , всего через 15 месяцев после заключения контракта , аппарат выходит на этап финальных испытаний , что подчеркивает скорость и эффективность работы Rocket Lab...

Дело идёт к пуску.

[zandr]

 
Неужели?
https://x.com/Dillonshrop06/status/2067825568200929477

Dillon Shropshire  @Dillonshrop06
Hazard Map for VICTUS HAZE
https://bit.ly/44i2LTN                                                   
NET Jun 19 0815 UTC
 

Других источников не вижу.

[zandr]

Dillon Shropshire  @Dillonshrop06
Note: ID of this launch is speculation, but most probable. Victus Haze is a US Space Force awarded mission to test minimum notice launch readiness capabilities.
The Marine and Air notices were published only ~10 hours prior to range opening which is consistent with the "24-hour call-up" time required by the Space Force.

Jonathan McDowell  @planet4589
Any evidence that this launch has happened??

Dillon Shropshire  @Dillonshrop06
Haven't seen anything yet. Range is now closed. If it was Victus Haze Puma then it's not great to see a scrub.
Likely will have to go back to standby mode.

Dillon Shropshire  @Dillonshrop06
Typo* the Range is open / closed in the fact that warning areas are no longer in effect.

Предположительно отменён.

[Bart Hendrickx]

69647    ELECTRON R/B  2026-142B  ROCKET BODY  US  2026-06-19  RLLC      90.57  97.44  432  173     
69646    VICTUS HAZE PUMA  2026-142A  PAYLOAD  US  2026-06-19  RLLC      92.64  97.45  461  347 

Ожидается сближение с КА JACKAL-0004 (2026-100AJ/69012).

[zandr]

Ого!
Всё-таки запустили!
_{(К сожалению, я сейчас под блокировками. Посмотреть зарубежную инфу смогу только вечером.)}

[cross-track]

Ого!
Всё-таки запустили!
_{(К сожалению, я сейчас под блокировками. Посмотреть зарубежную инфу смогу только вечером.)}

Global Moderator - и под блокировками?!)

[zandr]

Global Moderator - и под блокировками?!)

Писал в теме Перебои... глюки

[zandr]

https://x.com/planet4589/status/2068407190868652392

Jonathan McDowell  @planet4589
Unannounced LAUNCH at about 1020 UTC Jun 19 by Electron from Mahia of the US Space Force mission VICTUS HAZE Puma, to a 347 x 461 km x 97.5 deg, 2241LTDN sun-sync orbit.
·
The payload and the Electron second stage have been cataloged  by Space Force. I believe this may be a Rocket Lab Pioneer-class payload integrated with and attached to the Electron kick stage.
·
Correction, per the Rocket Lab web page it is a Photon rather than a Pioneer (the two are rather similar)

Приблизительное время запуска 10:20 UTC 19 июня.
(На сайте Rocket Lab информацию об этом запуске не нашёл.)

[zandr]

Ожидается сближение с КА JACKAL-0004 (2026-100AJ/69012).

Jonathan McDowell  @planet4589
Indeed, VH Puma passed about 100 km from JACKAL 004 at about 1751 UTC Jun 19

[zandr]

(На сайте Rocket Lab информацию об этом запуске не нашёл.)

Lukas C. H.  @GewoonLukas_
It's now been more then 50 hours since the VICTUS HAZE launch, and neither Rocket Lab nor the US Space Force have said anything. At this point I'd expect them to announce the launch once spacecraft commissioning has been completed, as that's part of the responsive space exercise.

Лукас тоже не видит.

[zandr]

Lukas C. H.  @GewoonLukas_
Object 69646 (2026-142A) has been cataloged in a 354x467km@97.4° orbit, and it matches with a LC-1 launch at ~10:30 UTC! The object is not yet identified & no sign of Electron's stages yet, so not 100% sure, but it looks very likely Rocket Lab did launch something.
H/T @mickeywzx

У него другое, но тоже приблизительное время пуска.

[zandr]

Лукас тоже не видит.

А оно там есть. 
Но - в предстоящих:
https://rocketlabcorp.com/missions/launches/

Mission Name  VICTUS HAZE
Vehicle       Electron
Launch Date   2026
Launch Time   TBC
Launch Site   Launch Complex 1

Overview
A responsive space mission with Electron and Rocket Lab's own spacecraft that will launch with only 24 hours' notice.
Rocket Lab will launch a tactically responsive space mission for the U.S. Space Force that includes the design, build, launch, and operation of Rocket Lab's own spacecraft on an Electron rocket. The mission, named VICTUS HAZE, will demonstrate rendezvous and proximity operations for the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC).

The $32 million contract includes a Rocket Lab spacecraft, configured for the unique requirements of the VICTUS HAZE mission, that will launch on Electron within just 24 hours' notice. The mission is designed to improve Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) processes and timelines to demonstrate the SSC's ability to respond to on-orbit threats on very short timelines.
The mission is targeted for launch in 2026.

Сближение с КА на орбите - и было в планах запуска.

[Bart Hendrickx]

В рамках проекта Victus Haze Космические войска США в 2024 г. заключили контракты с компаниями Rocket Lab и True Anomaly:
 
https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/04/the-space-force-is-planning-what-could-be-the-first-military-exercise-in-orbit/
 

The US Space Force announced Thursday it is partnering with two companies, Rocket Lab and True Anomaly, for a first-of-its-kind mission to demonstrate how the military might counter "on-orbit aggression."

On this mission, a spacecraft built and launched by Rocket Lab will chase down another satellite made by True Anomaly, a Colorado-based startup. "The vendors will exercise a realistic threat response scenario in an on-orbit space domain awareness demonstration called Victus Haze," the Space Force's Space Systems Command said in a statement.
This threat scenario could involve a satellite performing maneuvers that approach a US spacecraft or a satellite doing something else unusual or unexpected. In such a scenario, the Space Force wants to have the capability to respond, either to deter an adversary from taking action or to defend a US satellite from an attack.

"When another nation puts an asset up into space and we don't quite know what that asset is, we don't know what its intent is, we don't know what its capabilities are, we need the ability to go up there and figure out what this thing is," said Gen. Michael Guetlein, the Space Force's vice chief of space operations.

This is what the Space Force wants to demonstrate with Victus Haze. For this mission, True Anomaly's spacecraft will launch first, posing as a satellite from a potential adversary, like China or Russia. Rocket Lab will have a satellite on standby to go up and inspect True Anomaly's spacecraft and will launch it when the Space Force gives the launch order.
...
Then, if all goes according to plan, the two spacecraft will switch roles, with True Anomaly's Jackal satellite actively maneuvering around Rocket Lab's satellite. According to the Space Force, True Anomaly and Rocket Lab will deliver their spacecraft no later than the fall of 2025.

Космический аппарат Rocket Lab построен на базе платформы Photon
https://rocketlabcorp.com/space-systems/spacecraft/
 

VICTUS HAZE
Rocket Lab's Photon spacecraft platform is the basis for the VICTUS HAZE mission, a $32M contract awarded by the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) for the Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) program. Under this mission, Rocket Lab will design, build, launch, and operate a spacecraft capable of rendezvous and proximity operations. Rocket Lab's VICTUS HAZE mission will demonstrate rapid launch readiness and the ability to identify and track on-orbit threats.
Вы не можете просматривать это вложение.
 

True Anomaly для этой миссии использует КА на базе платформы Jackal:
 
https://www.trueanomaly.space/jackal
 

Jackal is not just another satellite—it is a new type of spacecraft that sets the performance benchmark for space superiority: highly maneuverable, payload agnostic, low cost.  Engineered with a modular structure and rapid-fit mission hardpoints, Jackal supports a wide range of payloads and mission profiles. Its high-performance propulsion stack and hardened software backbone deliver unmatched agility, autonomy, and maneuverability—built from the ground-up for highly dynamic space superiority missions across any contested orbital environment.
 
Every orbit is now contested, and Jackal is purpose-built for space superiority. Its platform enables rapid scalability and the flexibility to provide operational dominance in any orbit.
All Jackals in LEO and beyond feature:

High-Maneuverability Propulsion Stack
High-performance 20-thruster configuration and a large propellant tank in an ESPA-Grande form factor—designed for precision high cadence, high-thrust, and high delta-v maneuvering.
Delta-v (payload dependent): Baseline: up to 800 m/s | GEO & Cislunar: up to 1,000 m/s
Acceleration (payload dependent): Baseline: up to 9 cm/s² | GEO & Cislunar: up to 8 cm/s²
...
Вы не можете просматривать это вложение.

По всей вероятности, Victus Haze Puma сближется с Jackal-0004, который был запущен 3 мая (один из попутчиков миссия CAS500-2). Как раз на прошлой неделе True Anomaly сообщила, что Jackal-0004 после завершения летных испытаний «готов к следующему этапу полета»:  
 
https://www.trueanomaly.space/newsroom/mission-x-3-mission-complete
 

Today we are proud to announce that JACKAL-0004 and Mosaic have achieved all Mission X-3 test objectives. Jackal has been fully commissioned and is prepared for its next phase of mission.
 
 Our third flight test to date, Mission X-3 demonstrated Jackal and Mosaic's capabilities for end-to-end uncooperative rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO). Four years since founding, this milestone reflects what's possible when rapid development and test cycles are built around the pace that warfighters need to fight and win.  
Since spacecraft separation on May 3, 2026, our team has run an around-the-clock cycle to commission the vehicle and put it to work. 
...

Параметры орбит по последним TLE:
Jackal-0004:  498x509 км,  97,40°
Victus Haze Puma:  347x461 км, 97,44°
 

1 69012U 26100AJ  26172.55801068  .00002751  00000-0  12815-3 0  9993
 2 69012  97.3991  70.3203 0008097  34.1135 326.0619 15.20711691  7472

1 69646U 26142A   26171.29528050  .00019950  00000-0  26102-3 0  9992
 2 69646  97.4467  68.8240 0083850 248.7177 110.5108 15.54449809   137

 
 

[zandr]

https://x.com/RocketLab/status/2069157322266759289

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
The Space Force called, and we launched. From call up to lift-off in just 16 hours 42 minutes 
Rocket Lab has made history - the fastest response time ever for a @USSF_SSC Tactically Responsive Space mission.
·
Lifting off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand at 10:19 pm NZT on June 19th, the mission shattered the previous TacRS record set by VICTUS NOX by more than 10 hours. The feat establishes a new global benchmark for rapid call-up space capabilities.

[zandr]

Код Выделить Развернуть

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyXvhzQi_Bw

  2:09
RECORD BREAKING LAUNCH - VICTUS HAZE Is On Orbit
  Rocket Lab
The Space Force called, and we launched. From call up to lift-off in just 16 hours 42 minutes  Rocket Lab has made history - the fastest response time ever for a ‪@U.S.SpaceForce‬ ‪@SpaceSystemsCommand‬ Tactically Responsive Space mission.
Lifting off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand at 10:19 pm NZT on June 19th, the mission shattered the previous TacRS record set by VICTUS NOX by more than 10 hours. The feat establishes a new global benchmark for rapid call-up space capabilities.

[zandr]

Код Выделить Развернуть

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfFnNC0NG2Y

  34:49
Rocket Lab - 'VICTUS HAZE' Launch
  Rocket Lab
Mission Name: VICTUS HAZE
Launch Date: 19 June 2026
Launch Site: Launch Complex 1, New Zealand
Customers: United States Space Force Space Systems Command
Payloads (Satellites) Launched:
 PUMA - A responsive space mission with Electron and Rocket Lab's own Pioneer spacecraft that launched with just 16 hours 42 minutes notice - a new launch record for the USSF.

[zandr]

https://rocketlabcorp.com/missions/launches/victus-haze/

VICTUS HAZE

Mission Name VICTUS HAZE
Vehicle          Electron
Launch Date  19 June 2026
Launch Time  10:19 p.m. NZST
Launch Site    Launch Complex 1
Overview        A responsive space mission with Electron and Rocket Lab's own Pioneer spacecraft that launched with just 16 hours 42 minutes notice - a new launch record for the USSF.
Payload          Rocket Lab Pioneer spacecraft (PUMA)

Rocket Lab launched the VICTUS HAZE mission from Launch Complex 1 for the U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command's (SSC) Space Safari Program Office on June 19, 2026 at 10:19 p.m.
The launch took place just 16 hours and 42 minutes after receiving the U.S. Space Force's Notice to Launch, beating the previous record by more than 10 hours and setting a new global standard in responsive space access. 
Beyond this historic launch turnaround, VICTUS HAZE marks the first time a single prime contractor has provided an entire all-in-one mission as a complete package for a TacRS mission. Rocket Lab vertically engineered, built, and tested the highly maneuverable Pioneer spacecraft, executed the rapid launch, and is now managing on-orbit operations for VICTUS HAZE. Rocket Lab's Pioneer spacecraft is now conducting Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) in low Earth orbit, simulating a rapid threat-response scenario alongside a non-compliant satellite. With space an increasingly contested domain, the ability to rapidly launch a spacecraft, pursue an object in space, photograph it, and monitor its behavior in real time, gives the U.S. and its allies the Space Domain Awareness capability and the vital intelligence it needs to maintain U.S. superiority in space. 
Key VICTUS HAZE Mission Achievements: 

• 16 Hours, 42 Minutes (Notice-to-Launch): The length of time between Rocket Lab receiving the Notice To Launch from the SSC's Space Safari Program Office and Electron's launch from Launch Complex 1.

• 4 Hours (Trajectory Calculation): Rocket Lab's Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) team took just ~4 hours to calculate final trajectories, update flight software, and coordinate global ground stations in preparation for launch. 

• 37 Hours, 36 Minutes (Spacecraft Commissioning): Rocket Lab fully activated and readied the Pioneer spacecraft for its first orbital maneuver, beating VICTUS HAZE's strict 72-hour deadline by more than 34 hours.

[Bart Hendrickx]

Компания True Anomaly подтвердила, что в миссии Victus Haze участвует Jackal-0004.

https://www.trueanomaly.space/newsroom/true-anomaly-begins-victus-haze

Today, True Anomaly's JACKAL-0004 spacecraft officially begins VICTUS HAZE mission operations. Alongside Rocket Lab and partners from the United States Space Force, True Anomaly will operate the Jackal spacecraft as part of the USSF's most advanced demonstration of Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) to date.

Following the successful Mission X-3 flight test program and commissioning of JACKAL-0004 and Mosaic, the True Anomaly spacecraft operations team is fully operational and ready to execute rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO).
...

Два дня назад:

Параметры орбит по последним TLE:
Jackal-0004:  498x509 км,  97,40°
Victus Haze Puma:  347x461 км, 97,44°
 

1 69012U 26100AJ  26172.55801068  .00002751  00000-0  12815-3 0  9993
 2 69012  97.3991  70.3203 0008097  34.1135 326.0619 15.20711691  7472

1 69646U 26142A  26171.29528050  .00019950  00000-0  26102-3 0  9992
 2 69646  97.4467  68.8240 0083850 248.7177 110.5108 15.54449809  137

Сейчас:

Jackal-0004: 498x509 км, 97,40°
Victus Haze Puma: 460x471 км, 97,40°

1 69012U 26100AJ  26174.00562237  .00002821  00000-0  13130-3 0  9996
 2 69012  97.3993  71.7415 0007961  29.8553 330.3135 15.20720121  7691
 
1 69646U 26142A   26173.87545911  .00005235  00000-0  16376-3 0  9996
 2 69646  97.3999  71.4164 0007920  30.0686 330.1010 15.33552352   533

По сути, это можно считать американским ответом на российский «Нивелир». По оперативности, скорее всего, превосходит его. 

[Silent]

Вопрос, как считать показатель оперативности. Неизвестно, сколько дней или недель заняла транспортировка, подготовка спутника и носителя, скольку суток потребуется на сближение инспектора с целью. Пока непонятно, что именно удалось ужать в рекламируемые часы оперативности. За 37 часов до первого маневра прошаренная мишень успеет свинтить подальше с траектории, калькулировавшейся рекордные 4 часа