The United States Space Force (USSF) recently set a new record for rapid satellite deployment in just 27 hours. The mission, named “Victus Nox,” was carried out by Firefly Aerospace and marked the successful launch of the satellite from Vandenberg Space Force Base. This launch also marked the first successful satellite deployment for Firefly’s new Alpha rocket.

The USSF’s Space Safari program, led by Lt. Col. MacKenzie Birchenough, hailed the mission as a significant step forward in meeting emerging challenges in space. The launch demonstrated progress in tactically responsive space capabilities, which represent a paradigm shift for national security in space.

Firefly Aerospace was able to reduce the launch preparation time to just 58 hours, significantly shorter than the previous weeks or months required for similar missions. The USSF had placed Firefly and Millennium Space Systems on “hot standby” status a month prior to the launch orders, indicating a 24-hour launch window could be opened at any time.

The traditional long preparation time and high costs associated with US satellites have been identified as vulnerabilities in the face of potential conflicts with adversaries like Russia or China, who possess anti-satellite weapons. The USSF’s focus on smaller, more affordable satellites aims to streamline the launch preparation process.

The USSF takes inspiration from SpaceX’s Starlink Internet satellite constellation, which comprises thousands of small, low-orbit satellites. This approach allows for the deployment of dozens of satellites on a single rocket, enabling faster and more cost-effective satellite launches.

The rapid deployment record achieved by the USSF demonstrates significant progress in space capabilities and highlights the ongoing efforts to address potential threats to US space-based assets.