VICTUS NOX (TacRS-3) – Firefly Alpha (Fl 3) – Vandenberg SLC-2W – 15.09.2023 02:28 UTC

[zandr]

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7068

VICTUS NOX (TacRS-3)
Launch Time
NET April, 2023
VICTUS NOX is a mission meant to demonstrate the United States' ability to rapidly place a satellite in orbit if the need arises. To that end, the payload will be delivered to Firefly, encapsulated, and readied for launch. The US Space Force will give the go-ahead for Firefly to launch sometime in 2023, at which point Firefly has just 24 hours to send the payload to orbit.

Rocket  Firefly Alpha
...
Mission Details
VICTUS NOX
VICTUS NOX is a payload for the US Space Force's Space Systems Command. It will perform a Space Domain Awareness (SDA) mission in LEO.

Low Earth Orbit
Location
SLC-2W, Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

[zandr]

Firefly Aerospace  @Firefly_Space
Launch update: Our next launch, FLTA003, will support the @SpaceForceDoD responsive space mission, VICTUS NOX. We're in the final integration of our Alpha rocket and will soon stand ready for the 24-hour call-up. We're honored to work with this incredible team!

... скоро...

[zandr]

NET April - VCLS (VADR) Demo-2FB/ELaNa 43: CatSat, KUbe-Sat-1, MESAT1, R5-S4, R5-S2-2.0, REAL, Serenity (3), SOC-i, TechEdSat-11 (TES-11) - Firefly Alpha (FLTA003) - Vandenberg SLC-2W

[zandr]

Firefly Aerospace  @Firefly_Space
FLTA003 Update: Big congrats to the Firefly team for completing a full-duration static fire on the first attempt for the
@SpaceForceDoD #VICTUSNOX mission. Our "test before you fly" approach confirms all systems and components are operating within flight parameters before launch.

Проведён статический огневой тест на полную продолжительность.

[Liss]

А чего это у них с Ванденберга лететь собралось сегодня вечером по местному?

!CARF 09/240 ZAK AIRSPACE DCC FLETCHER 23-1 AREA A STNR ALT
RESERVATION WI AN AREA DEFINED AS 334800N1221500W TO 345300N1204500W
TO 345300N1203200W TO 345500N1202700W TO 345600N1202100W TO
345400N1201500W TO 345000N1201500W TO 344200N1201800W TO
342200N1204500W TO 331000N1214700W TO 295100N1235100W TO
270000N1250900W TO 270000N1255700W TO 313100N1233600W TO POINT OF
ORIGIN.
SFC-UNL
2309150227-2309150314
CREATED: 14 Sep 2023 00:53:00
SOURCE: KDZZNAXX

!CARF 09/241 ZAK AIRSPACE DCC FLETCHER 23-1 AREA B STNR ALT
RESERVATION WI AN AREA DEFINED AS 270000N1250900W TO 253000N1253300W
TO 205200N1272000W TO 205200N1273900W TO 252900N1265100W TO
260000N1263500W TO 270000N1255700W TO POINT OF ORIGIN.
SFC-UNL
2309150227-2309150317
CREATED: 14 Sep 2023 00:53:00
SOURCE: KDZZNAXX

!CARF 09/242 ZAK AIRSPACE DCC FLETCHER 23-1 AREA RE-ENTRY STNR ALT
RESERVATION WI AN AREA DEFINED AS 462100N1430800W TO 281800N1472400W
TO 275400N1462200W TO 460600N1412100W TO POINT OF ORIGIN.
SFC-UNL
2309150406-2309150413
CREATED: 14 Sep 2023 00:54:00
SOURCE: KDZZNAXX

20230915 VDB.jpg

Вижу трассу на юго-запад плюс район падения после одного витка.

Этот единственный виток проходит над краешком Антарктиды, Восточной Африкой и Восточной Европой, Гренландией и Канадой.

[Mostly Harmless]

Есть мнение, что это Firefly Alpha | FLTA003 (VICTUS NOX)

Mission Summary

Firefly Aerospace was selected by the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC) to provide Alpha launch services for the VICTUS NOX responsive space mission. The goal of the program is to demonstrate the United States' capability to rapidly respond to on-orbit needs during a conflict or in response to a national security threat.

Following the mission build-up phase, Firefly and the payload provider, Millennium Space Systems, have entered a six-month hot standby phase and wait for activation. 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 at an intentionally unknown time. 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.

Re: Firefly Alpha Flight 3: VICTUS NOX (TacRS-3) : VSFB SLC-2W : NET September 2023

I think that this is VICTUS NOX, for several reasons. At the end of the long narrow blob in the lower right is a little pentagon which is probably where the first stage falls into the sea (700 miles downrange). The long wide rectangle in the upper left, nearly parallel and further north and west, must be where the second stage reenters almost one orbit later.

A rough estimate of launch heading is 209-210 deg, indicating an orbit inclination of 119-120 deg, roughly in family with Firefly's 1st and 2nd launches. The first launch window begins about 23 hr after the time I received the NGA email which is consistent with the customer's demand for <24 hr response time. (I'll guess that the second window is so that the customer can see a launch even if Firefly doesn't make it to orbit in the first window.)

[zandr]

https://twitter.com/GewoonLukas_/status/1702265433213059200
Lukas C. H.  @GewoonLukas_
VICTUS NOX IS LAUNCHING TONIGHT
Hazard Area's for an orbital launch out of Vandenberg tonight at ~01:57 UTC have been published, so that can only mean one thing: VICTUS NOX. The launch shows a trajectory towards an ~120° orbit, which is similar to previous Alpha launches.
 
 

[Liss]

О, спасибо. Перенесем в прикладные. 
Так спокойнее, конечно.

[zandr]

Kim Jennett @kim_jennett
How sweet to finally get to watch a @Firefly_Space Alpha launch and right from my rooftop! Hope things went as planned. Sending love and congrats to all my friends there! #victusnox #spaceforce #itwasnotspacex
      

Улетела!?

На странице Firefly Aerospace в твиттере - ничего, на ю-тубе - тож!

[zandr]

Код Выделить Развернуть

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5I0GefSiRQ

05:37
USSF's Space Launch VICTUS NOX Alpha Firefly SLC-2W Vandenberg SFB * SURPRISE Launch raw footage
  Robbie and Gary Gardening Easy

?

[zandr]

Doug Comstock  @Doug_Comstock
Cool view from Temecula tonight of #Firefly's #Alpha rocket from #Vandenberg!!

[zandr]

Код Выделить Развернуть

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mPfH3m-G0k

1:01
Firefly Aerospace
  KGUN9
People in Tucson are wondering what they saw in the western sky around 7:30 Thursday evening.

[zandr]

https://twitter.com/USSF_SSC/status/1702717284018528326

Space Systems Command  @USSF_SSC
VICTUS NOX launched on 09/14. "VICTUS NOX marks a culture shift in our nation's ability to deter adversary aggression," said Lt. Gen. Michael Guetlein. This enables us to respond with the speed necessary to deliver decisive capabilities to our warfighters. https://ssc.spaceforce.mil/Portals/3/Documents/PRESS%20RELEASES/Space%20Systems%20Command%20successfully%20launches%20VICTUS%20NOX%20for%20U.S%20Space%20Force%20Sets%20new%20Tactically%20Responsive%20Space%20record%20.pdf?ver=rlYl4sf5qmG2yaIsYHvz6w%3d%3d

Вы не можете просматривать это вложение.   Вы не можете просматривать это вложение. 

[zandr]

Lukas C. H.  @GewoonLukas_
Firefly actually launched VICTUS NOX! While Firefly itself hasn't said anything about the launch, so we don't actually know whether its successful, it's very impressive that they have been able to encapsulate, integrate, and launch the payload all within 24 hours!

Полная подготовка ПН за 24 часа до пуска.

[zandr]

Объект внесён в каталог.

2023-142A    57861   2023-142A    94.69   97.32   531   476   0.0040213

https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements

[zandr]

https://vk.com/spacex?w=wall-41152133_468728

Компания Firefly осуществила третий запуск ракеты Alpha
Сегодня в 5:28 МСК, со стартовой площадки SLC-2W космодрома Ванденберг в Калифорнии, в рамках демонстрационной миссии Victus Nox, стартовала ракета Alpha FLTA003 компании Firefly.

Она успешно вывела на целевую орбиту спутник в интересах КС США, построенный компанией Millennium Space Systems, информация о котором не раскрывается. Известно только, что он призван отслеживать другие объекты на орбите и мониторить космическую среду.

Особенностью данного запуска было требование заказчика по готовности к запуску миссии в течение 24 часов. После получения команды, Millennium Space Systems и Firefly должны были интегрировать спутник на ракету за 60 часов, после чего подготовить РН к запуску за 24 часа. Это условие было выполнено. По данным журналиста Эрика Бергера, общее время от получения команды до старта ракеты составило 27 часов (что стало новым рекордом для подобного рода процедур).

Это был 3-й запуск ракеты Firefly (и 2-й успешный)

Следующая миссия компании (ELaNa 43) ожидается в этом году (или в начале 2024), она запустит нескольких научных кубсатов в интересах NASA.

[zandr]

https://fireflyspace.com/news/firefly-aerospace-successfully-launches-victus-nox-with-24-hour-notice/

September 14, 2023
Firefly Aerospace Successfully Launches U.S. Space Force VICTUS NOX Responsive Space Mission with 24-Hour Notice


Ground-breaking operation showcases Firefly's capability to rapidly launch and deploy a satellite, supporting critical national security missions

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif, – September 14, 2023 – Firefly Aerospace, an end-to-end space transportation company, today announced the company successfully launched its Alpha rocket and deployed the VICTUS NOX spacecraft following a 24-hour notice to complete final payload operations and mission preparations. Led by U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command's (SSC) Space Safari Program Office and in close partnership with the Rocket Systems Launch Program, the mission advances the nation's capability to rapidly respond to on-orbit needs during a conflict or in response to a national security threat.

"Today was an incredible success for the Space Force, the Firefly team, and our nation after nailing this complex responsive space mission," said Bill Weber, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. "Our combined commercial and government team executed the mission with record speed, agility, and flexibility, adding a critical capability to address national security needs."

Upon receiving the notice to launch and orbit requirements from the U.S. Space Force, Firefly completed all final launch preparations, including trajectory software updates, payload encapsulation, transport to the launch pad, mating to Alpha, and fueling, within 24 hours. Alpha then launched at the first available window, 27 hours after receipt of launch orders.

The flight began with a nominal countdown and liftoff at 7:28 p.m. PDT on September 14 and progressed seamlessly through each stage of flight, including stage one main engine cutoff (MECO), stage separation, and stage two ignition. Alpha then deployed the Millennium Space Systems satellite at the target destination in low Earth orbit. Firefly also successfully tested an Alpha stage two relight and targeted re-entry.

"I'm incredibly proud of this team for completing these critical mission milestones and successfully launching in a matter of hours rather than weeks or months in a typical operation," said Adam Oakes, VP of Launch Vehicles at Firefly Aerospace. "As our third flight, this mission further validates Firefly's technology rigor, passion, and dedication that's required to prevail as the leading responsive launch provider for both government and commercial customers."

"The success of the VICTUS NOX mission not only proves a key aspect of the United States' TacRS capability but provides true utility to the warfighter," said Col. Bryon McClain, Program Executive Officer for the Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power directorate, which oversees SSC's Space Safari program office. "Working closely with our Assured Access to Space team and industry partners, the Space Safari team continues to demonstrate how TacRS enables us to quickly respond to urgent on-orbit needs."

Building on today's success, Firefly is ramping up Alpha production and testing for multiple upcoming launches, including missions in support of Lockheed Martin, NASA, the NRO, and more.

[zandr]

Код Выделить Развернуть

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW1PBrz0H-g

 0:56
24 Hour Rocket Launch Operations in 1 Minute!
  Firefly Aerospace
The successful #VICTUSNOX mission demonstrates Firefly's capability to launch on-demand and deploy assets when and where customers need them. Our combined commercial and government team executed the mission with record speed, agility, and flexibility, adding a critical capability to address our national security needs. SpaceForceDoD SLDelta30

[zandr]

Jonathan McDowell  @planet4589
Firefly Aerospace has confirmed the launch at 0228 UTC Sep 15 of VICTUS NOX, and Space Force has cataloged object 57861 in a 476 x 531 km x 97.3 deg, 1804 LTDN sun-synch orbit, confirming successful launch.

[Олег]

Неоднократно менял высоты -