Firefly Aerospace Secures $21.8 Million U.S. Space Force Contract for Rapid-Response Launch

Firefly Aerospace has been awarded a $21.8 million contract by the U.S. Space Force to launch a mission under the military’s quick-reaction space program, marking the company’s third such award.

The mission, named Victus Sol, will be launched aboard Firefly’s Alpha rocket as part of the Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) program, a key initiative designed to rapidly deploy space assets in times of national security emergencies.

A Growing Role in Tactically Responsive Space

The TacRS program is managed by Space Safari, a division of Space Systems Command based in New Mexico, and aims to provide the Space Force with the capability to deploy critical space assets on short notice.

While details of the Victus Sol mission—including the payload, objectives, and launch schedule—remain classified, Space Safari officials confirmed that the mission represents an evolution in the TacRS initiative.

“Victus Sol is moving beyond TacRS demonstrations and will be available for operations,” - Space Safari Statement

This signals a shift in the program’s focus from test flights to fully operational military deployments.

Firefly’s Expanding Military Portfolio

Firefly Aerospace is no stranger to the TacRS program. The company successfully launched Victus Nox in September 2023, a mission that demonstrated the ability to prepare a satellite and launch it on extremely short notice. Firefly is also preparing to launch Victus Haze later this year, a mission that will carry a satellite built by True Anomaly, a space technology firm focused on national security applications.

With Victus Sol, Firefly is further solidifying its reputation as a leading provider of rapid-response space launch capabilities.

"This mission will provide the operational capability to have a launch vehicle and space vehicle on standby while we continue to launch other commercial and government missions until we’re called up by the Space Force.” - Jason Kim, Firefly CEO Jason Kim

Firefly secured the Victus Sol contract through the U.S. Space Force’s Orbital Services Program-4 (OSP-4), a competitive contract mechanism managed by the Rocket Systems Launch Program within Space Systems Command. OSP-4 allows the military to procure responsive and flexible launch services from various commercial providers.

The contract is a major win for Firefly, which is competing against other small launch providers such as Rocket Lab, Relativity Space, and ABL Space Systems in the growing market for national security rapid-response launches.

As the Space Force continues to refine its ability to launch assets on demand, Firefly Aerospace is positioning itself as a critical partner in national security space operations. With multiple TacRS missions under its belt, the company is demonstrating the viability of rapid-launch capabilities that could be vital in times of crisis.

Firefly’s next TacRS launch, Victus Haze, is expected to take place later this year.