EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — As on-orbit threats proliferate, the United States Space Force is working with the private sector to secure cutting-edge systems capable of deterring or countering adversaries’ aggressive or irresponsible actions in space.

The VICTUS HAZE program, launched in 2024, has engaged two space companies, True Anomaly and Rocket Lab USA, to provide the Space Force with tactically responsive space (TacRS) mission capabilities.

This success story, which was first published in the AFWERX and SpaceWERX FY 2024 Annual Report, has been updated since its initial release.

In April, Space Systems Command’s Space Safari Program Office, with funding from SpaceWERX and the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), awarded contracts to the two companies.

Under the Emergent Need Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award, made by SSC’s Space Safari Program Office in partnership with SpaceWERX, the Space Force funded $30 million of the total $60 million effort. True Anomaly will leverage the remaining $30 million of private capital.

The second participating company, Rocket Lab, based in Long Beach, California, received $32 million in funding from DIU. The comceWERX and the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), awarded contracts to the two companies.

Under the Emergent Need Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award, made by SSC’s Space Safari Program Office in partnership with SpaceWERX, the Space Force funded $30 million of the total $60 million effort. True Anomaly will leverage the remaining $30 million of private capital.

The second participating company, Rocket Lab, based in Long Beach, California, received $32 million in funding from DIU. The companies were each slated to demonstrate their ability to build rendezvous and proximity operation (RPO)-capable space vehicles and command and control centers, with a delivery target of fall 2025.

Once the build phase is complete, the mission will enter several successive phases, including “hot standby”—awaiting a rapid manifest and launch request.

The TacRS systems developed by these companies will position the Space Force to provide future capabilities to Combatant Commands, equipping them to conduct rapid operations in response to adversary on-orbit aggression.

The demonstration will also enable development of TacRS tactics, techniques and procedures when responding to adversary aggression on orbit.

Space Safari partnered with SpaceWERX for assistance in the technical and commercial evaluation of True Anomaly and the push for an emergent SBIR selection by Space Force leadership. Space Safari is leading the contract administration, providing programmatic oversight and will execute the mission using capabilities provided by True Anomaly.

The VICTUS HAZE program underscores the DAF’s commitment to leveraging private-sector innovation to address critical space challenges. By fostering collaboration among government organizations, industry and startups, the initiative supports the Space Force’s ability to maintain freedom of action in space.

True Anomaly began working with SpaceWERX in 2023 through the SpaceWERX TacRS Challenge, a program focused on gaining new technologies that will enable the Space Force to more rapidly and flexibly respond to emerging on-orbit threats by 2026.

*Disclaimer: References to non-federal entities do not constitute or imply Department of War or Air Force endorsement of any company or organization.

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EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The DAF must respond rapidly and flexibly to threats in an increasingly congested and contested space domain, a mission that requires innovative and cost-effective solutions for developing and deploying advanced space capabilities. K2 Space, a Torrance, California company, is developing a low-cost, high-capability satellite platform capable of carrying large payloads and operating in various orbits, including low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), geosynchronous orbit (GEO) and cislunar space.

The K2 satellite bus delivers 10 times more power than other low-cost buses in its class and boasts a large payload deck. Its multi-orbit capability and high launch density, with up to 10 satellites per launch, support diverse missions and rapid constellation deployment. With the advent of more powerful launch vehicles, K2 went against the grain, using heavier, inexpensive materials that could reduce costs by 90 percent.

This Success Story, which was first published in the AFWERX-SpaceWERX FY2024 Annual Report, has been updated since its initial release.

 

K2 Space’s SBIR/STTR Journey

In 2023, K2 Space participated in the Tactically Responsive Space Challenge, an initiative by SpaceWERX and Space Safari aimed at accelerating the development of space technologies. The company successfully competed and was awarded a SBIR contract, demonstrating its innovative approach.

Recognizing the potential of K2 Space’s technology, the DAF also awarded the company multiple Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer contracts in FY23-24, meant to support its initial early work on its satellite technology.

Then, as FY24 drew to a close, K2 Space was awarded a $60 million STRATFI contract by SpaceWERX and Space Force, Air Force Research Laboratory and the Pentagon’s Space Test Program, reaching this milestone at blazing speed, just halfway through their period of performance.

The Gravitas mission has also received support from the Department of War’s Space Development Agency, Space Force’s Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power Program Executive Office, Space Warfighting Acquisition Delta and National Space Test and Training Complex.

The Gravitas flight is slated for March 2026, marking the first launch of the company’s mega-class satellite, powered by a 20-kilowatt Hall-effect thruster, into medium orbit. K2 tested its electric propulsion system at its Torrance facility earlier this year.

Consisting of SBIR and other government funds, as well as private capital, the STRATFI will support the completion of K2’s mega-class satellite bus. The project will include designing and building payload interfaces, integrating payloads, launch, and operation for a minimum of 18 months after launch.

In July, K2 announced it had successfully demonstrated several of its in-house satellite components in space. These critical components included a flight computer, microcontroller core board, motor controller and reaction wheel. Successful validation of these components should reduce the technical risks for the DAF-supported Gravitas mission, K2 officials said.

In October, K2 Space said it plans to launch three satellites into orbit in 2027 using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Dubbed Trinity, the launch will include multiple deployments in which the satellites will operate at low, medium and geostationary transfer orbits.

*Disclaimer: References to non-federal entities do not constitute or imply Department of War or Air Force endorsement of any company or organization.

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EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Hypersonic flight, with its extreme speeds and heat, poses significant testing challenges due to the high costs and logistical difficulties of ground-based facilities. This lack of real-world data can cause design uncertainties, higher development costs and potential vehicle failures. SpaceWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force and a unique division within AFWERX, found a solution in technology wielded by Varda Space Industries, a California-based startup.

Varda manufactures pharmaceuticals and optical fibers in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in compact satellites and returns them to Earth in reentry capsules. The capsules are outfitted with advanced thermal protection materials developed by NASA to withstand reentry. Recognizing the potential of these capsules for hypersonic testing, Varda partnered with the DAF to adapt them into a Mach 25-plus hypersonic flight testbed. This provides a more affordable alternative to traditional programs with test flights costing more than $100 million.

This Success Story, which was first published in the AFWERX-SpaceWERX FY2024 Annual Report, has been updated since its initial release.

Since 2021, AFWERX has awarded Varda four SBIR contracts. Those agreements focused on developing thermal protection systems for Varda’s reentry capsule, crucial for both its commercial mission and future hypersonic testing.

In May 2023, SpaceWERX awarded Varda a $60 million STRATFI contract to create a dedicated hypersonic flight testbed. This contract included payload integration, user guide development, and two orbital reentry missions. The STRATFI included $15 million in SBIR funds, $15 million in government matching funds from AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate, and $30 million from private venture capital investors.

 

Expanded testing cadence and data collection

In December 2024, AFRL awarded Varda a four-year, $48 million contract to further develop and use its reentry capsules for hypersonic payload testing. This Phase III award marked another step in the technology’s successful transition.

Over the course of 2025, Varda has launched four space capsules into orbit, three of which carried scientific equipment to collect critical reentry data for the DAF.

In January, Varda flew its first mission under the AFRL contract, and its second for the DAF. Dubbed the Winnebago-2, or W-2, the capsule carried the OSPREE (Optical Sensing of Plasmas in the Reentry Environment) spectrometer, which collects atmospheric information during a craft’s rapid descent to Earth.

The company’s third and fifth missions (launched in March and November, respectively) also carried government payloads for data collection.

Varda says its W-series hypersonic reentry capsule is the lowest cost, most rapid, recoverable option to reproduce the most challenging hypersonic and reentry flight environments. The capsule, manufactured by Varda in El Segundo, enters the atmosphere at 18,000 miles per hour and hits Mach 25+ on every mission before landing by parachute on Earth.

 

Disclaimer: The content in this article does not constitute or imply endorsement by the Department of the Air Force of the provider or producer of the technology, product, process, or services mentioned.

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