Unpacking America’s first planned military exercise in orbit

Star Wars is slowly transitioning from on screen to in reality. Last week, the US Space Force announced a first-of-its-kind military exercise to test how it might counter “on-orbit” aggression from a hostile force.

What that means: Buzzwords aside, it’s feasible that at some point a hostile force will deploy a craft to either scope out or destroy US objects in orbit. And, when that day comes, the Space Force aims to be ready.

• The newly announced mission, named “Victus Haze,” has two commercial space partners: True Anomaly and Rocket Lab. These companies are responsible for designing and manufacturing spacecraft – to be delivered no later than fall 2025 – that will pose as a satellite from a potential adversary, like China or Russia (or aliens👽).
• At test time, True Anomaly’s spacecraft will be launched first. Rocket Lab’s will be on standby, awaiting a “go” from the Space Force.
• Once the “go” command is given, Rocket Lab’s spacecraft will be launched to inspect True Anomaly’s craft. If all goes to plan, the two spacecraft will then switch roles (object under inspection ↔️ pursuer).

Hazy geopolitics are underlying Victus Haze. Following decades of cooperation, the world’s space agencies are starting to forge their own paths for the future. The International Space Station – which is jointly run by the US, Russia, Canada, and 12 other nations – is currently set to retire in 2031, with no replacement planned. China will be the only country with an operational space station in Earth’s orbit at that point.