--- title: "US Space Force requests $60 million for space operations" description: "Space Force budget includes $60 million for \"tactically responsive space\" The Space Force budget proposes $30 million for strategically responsive spa" author: "Sanjay Goenka" published: 2023-03-30 canonical: https://www.mindstick.com/news/2944/us-space-force-requests-60-million-for-space-operations category: "space and research" tags: ["technology", "space science"] reading_time: 4 minutes --- # US Space Force requests $60 million for space operations The U.S. Space Force (USSF) wants to send its satellites and other assets into orbit more quickly. The Space Force has asked for $60 million for its "tactically responsive space" programme, which has already conducted one demonstration mission successfully and is planning to launch a second in May, in order to accomplish this aim. \ The programme, which aims to assist the Space Force launch satellites and spacecraft at a far faster rate in reaction to anticipated adversary actions in space, is making its first direct budget request. \ ![US Space Force requests $60 million for space operations](https://www.mindstick.com/usernews/641521/000b8577-4afb-4aea-bae5-110358960b63/images/f5f46366-592f-4f2c-b4a8-49bac03c9660.png) \ The funds will assist the Pentagon's efforts to look into short-notice small [satellite launch](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/114603/name-the-rocket-used-in-isro-s-first-successful-satellite-launch) capabilities until 2024 and 2025. \ The initiative is looking into the option of utilising commercial [launch vehicle](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/97969/kslv-ii-nuri-rocket-is-the-first-domestically-produced-space-launch-vehicle-of-which-country) suppliers to set up the required [infrastructure](https://www.mindstick.com/news/2313/a-cybersecurity-and-infrastructure-security-agency-will-monitor-the-us-midterm-elections) for a rapid launch of cargo into orbit. \ The capacity to swiftly launch satellites and spacecraft into orbit has long piqued the interest of the defence industry due to its numerous potential military uses. \ The Military has expressed worries that the growing number of anti-satellite missiles and other capabilities developed by rivals make America's space-based assets susceptible to strikes. \ The capacity to replace a satellite or improve the capabilities of an [existing one](https://www.mindstick.com/interview/34109/how-do-you-generate-a-unique-file-name-to-avoid-overwriting-an-existing-one) has become a major priority in prospective conflict scenarios since the [US military](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/101600/what-was-the-role-of-the-us-military-in-world-war-i) extensively depends on space-based assets. \ In 2021, the USSF launched TacRL-2, a demonstration mission, atop a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket. According to a statement from the USSF at the time, the mission successfully illustrated the end-to-end approach to tactically responsive missions by integrating the space vehicle, launch vehicle, payloads, and ground elements in record time. \ For its "tactically responsive space" programme, the USSF is asking for $60 million in financing. This programme attempts to launch satellites and other vehicles into orbit fast to fend against any hostile space offensives. The programme has already completed the successful TacRL-2 demonstration flight and is currently preparing TacRL-3, also known as Victus Nox. \ The mission's launch vehicle will be a Firefly Aerospace Alpha rocket, while Millennium Space Systems will supply the payload. With $30 million apiece requested for 2024 and 2025, the budget proposal guarantees that the program's subsequent launch won't be its final one. \ In an effort to broaden the basis of its space infrastructure, the [**Space**](https://www.mindstick.com/news/2726/how-infinite-fuel-can-be-obtained-from-space-s-vaccum-using-theoretical-zero-point-energy) Force has allowed four private enterprises access to its launch pads at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. ## Congress's support \ For the previous three years, Congress has added $115 million to the Pentagon budget for strategically responsive space demonstrations. The programme, according to congressional supporters, is necessary because [recent events](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/98641/what-does-israel-think-of-the-recent-events-in-the-middle-east) have demonstrated the strategic importance of satellites, making them more desirable targets. \ The Space Force's Tactically Responsive Launch-2 (TacRL-2) mission, launched in 2021 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket, served as an example of responsive space. \ Victus Nox, a future Tactically Responsive Launch-3 mission, might launch as early as May. In September, the launch [service provider](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/85256/which-is-the-best-accommodation-rooms-and-transportation-service-provider) Firefly Aerospace and the satellite producer Millennium Space received a contract for this test. \ They will be on standby after having around eight months to be ready. Firefly will receive a 24-hour warning from the Space Force to prepare for launch. \ Victus Nox, which means "conquer the night" in Latin, aims to show off quick turnaround launch operations and aid planners in [understanding](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/12918/cat-5e-vs-cat-6a-understanding-the-major-differences) the front-end procedures leading up to the launch. \ The programme will "continue developing, showing, and stressing end-to-end tactically responsive space solutions based on lessons gained and identified pain points from the Victus Nox demonstration," according to budget records. \ [**ALSO READ: The Space Sector Has Requested Funding for PLI, Tax Incentives, And Defence Spending**](https://www.mindstick.com/news/2700/the-space-sector-has-requested-funding-for-pli-tax-incentives-and-defence-spending) \ --- Original Source: https://www.mindstick.com/news/2944/us-space-force-requests-60-million-for-space-operations Copyright © MindStick Software Pvt. Ltd. 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