The humankind may shortly see what could be the first ever military practice session in Earth ’s range , with the US Space Force finally living up to its name and using military force in space .
The Space Force , which has been mocked for adopting theStar Treklogoas its own logotype , sustain its ownhorse , and itsquestionable theme tune , has recently pace up its activity on the space front . As well assending an astronautto the International Space Station , the military unit is planning to take a Tactically Responsive Space ( TacRS ) mission , dubbed VICTUS HAZE .
The test will see two companies – Rocket Lab National Security and True Anomaly – " exercise a realistic threat reaction scenario in an on - orbit space domain awareness demonstration " . The use could postulate one planet acting erratically or manoeuver nigher to the other , perArs Technia . The second satellite would then make a response to support the artificial satellite , or to deter the " enemy " orbiter from attacking .
Though this may all seem in the kingdom of science fiction , the US is anxious of potential conflicts in space , with China channel plenty ofmysterious testsin humble - Earth reach .
“ The number and complexity of adversary threat in space is constantly growing . To apace respond to those threats , we need to fork out the most advance TacRS capabilities the U.S. has to offer , ” Lt . Col . MacKenzie Birchenough , Materiel Leader for Space Safari , say in astatementannouncing the demo in August 2023 . “ VICTUS HAZE will help leave the reward we need to assess the threats and continue our ability to freely point in place . ”
“ We recognize the significant opportunity to leverage the commercial-grade blank manufacture ’s innovations to counter China as America ’s tempo menace , ” Col . Bryon McClain , Space Systems Command ’s programme executive policeman for Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power added in astatementon Thursday , discover China specifically .
“ The United States has the most innovative space diligence in the human race . VICTUS HAZE will demonstrate , under operationally naturalistic precondition , our ability to respond to irresponsible behavior on orbit . ”
The cost of the undertaking is expected to be around $ 92 million overall , with True Anomaly raising around $ 30 million of internal private capital towards it . True Anomaly still has further demonstrations to work on before VICTUS HAZE , but all going well , the US Space Force should see its first military exercise in compass carried out in2025 .
[ H / T : Ars Technica ]
