USSF Requests First Tactically Responsive Space Program Budget

The U.S. Space Force has requested $60 million over the next two years from Congress for a program called tactically responsive space, according to budget documents submitted last week.

This marks the first time the Department of Defense has included funding for tactically responsive space in its budget. In the past, the program has been supported by congressional add-ons, and the defense committees have been urging the DoD to establish a dedicated budget line.

The initiative aims to showcase the ability of commercial launch vehicles to swiftly deploy small satellites. Small satellite launch companies have been actively advocating for funding for responsive space, which would benefit small launch providers that do not require conventional launch facilities. During a conflict, this service would be used to replace a damaged satellite or strengthen existing constellations, providing the U.S. military with greater resilience in the event that adversaries attempt to shoot down DoD or commercial satellites that provide essential services.

The Space Force's budget proposal outlines an allocation of $30 million for tactically responsive space in fiscal year 2024 and another $30 million in fiscal year 2025. Over the past three years, Congress has added $115 million to the defense budget for tactically responsive space demonstrations.

In 2021, the Space Force conducted a demonstration of responsive space by launching the Tactically Responsive Launch-2 (TacRL-2) mission using a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

An upcoming demonstration, Tactically Responsive Launch-3 (also known as Victus Nox), is expected to take place as early as May. The contract for this mission was awarded in September to launch services provider Firefly Aerospace and satellite manufacturer Millennium Space. They have approximately eight months to prepare and will remain on standby until given 24 hours' notice by the Space Force to launch.

[tweet https://twitter.com/Firefly_Space/status/1637887066200481806]