The US Space Force is working to drastically reduce the time it takes to launch new satellites, aiming to go from years to just weeks, days, or even hours. Recently, Rocket Lab launched a small satellite from New Zealand as part of a military exercise called Victus Haze, which tests the Space Force’s ability to quickly respond to potential threats in space. This mission involved launching a satellite built by True Anomaly, which acted as a potential adversary’s satellite, and then sending another satellite to inspect it. The launch was kept mostly secret, with minimal public announcements and no live stream, highlighting the mission’s focus on rapid and discreet deployment. This exercise is crucial for demonstrating how the military and commercial partners can quickly address threats in orbit, ensuring national security in space.
QUESTION: How might the ability to rapidly launch satellites impact global security and international relations in the future?
A US military exercise in space got underway with barely anyone noticing
