Victus Haze Puma (TacRS 4)

Victus Haze Puma (TacRS 4) [Rocket Lab]

Victus Haze Puma is a technology demonstration satellite for the US Space Force’s tactically responsive launch program (TacRS, formerly TacRL), which is intended to conduct rendezvous proximity operations. The mission is also called TacRS-4.

In April 2024 contracts for construction and launch were awarded to Rocket Lab.

Once the spacecraft build is complete, Rocket Lab will be entered into a Hot Standby Phase awaiting further direction. Once the exercise begins, Rocket Lab will be given notice to launch the spacecraft into a target orbit. After reaching orbit, the spacecraft will be rapidly commissioned and readied for operations. Rocket Lab will configure a Pioneer class spacecraft bus to meet the unique requirements of the VICTUS HAZE mission and launch the spacecraft on Electron from either Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, NZ or Launch Complex 2 in Wallops, VA. Once on orbit, the spacecraft will conduct a variety of dynamic space operations to demonstrate SDA characterization capabilities with True Anomaly’s spacecraft, the Victus Haze Jackal autonomous orbital vehicle.