Space Force-backed mission does its best impression of Top Gun in orbit
The U.S. Space Force recently conducted a 'Victus Haze' military exercise involving two satellites performing evasive and pursuit maneuvers in orbit. This demonstration highlights the military's ability to rapidly deploy and maneuver assets in response to potential threats in space.
Why it matters
As space becomes increasingly contested, the ability to rapidly launch and maneuver satellites is critical for national security and orbital defense strategies.
Predator and prey Space Force-backed mission does its best impression of Top Gun in orbit “Dogfighting in space doesn’t quite have the drama of an aerial dogfight.”
30 Rocket Lab's Puma satellite captured this view of True Anomaly's Jackal, or Panther, satellite in orbit during the first round of Victus Haze demonstrations. Credit: Rocket Lab Rocket Lab's Puma satellite captured this view of True Anomaly's Jackal, or Panther, satellite in orbit during the first round of Victus Haze demonstrations. Credit: Rocket Lab Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav An ongoing military exercise happening hundreds of miles above Earth has—for the first time in an unclassified setting—demonstrated how future satellites might evade and pursue one another in a future conflict.
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