Two satellites engaged in a high-stakes orbital chase last month, showing how quickly military space operators can adjust when an adversary tries to avoid detection.
The U.S. Space Force’s Victus Haze mission paired True Anomaly’s Jackal satellite against Rocket Lab’s Puma. Jackal had less than 30 minutes to plan its first approach after receiving orders. It completed a burn sequence to close the distance in 23 minutes—only for Puma to shift position and break contact.
Real-time replanning at 17,000 mph
True Anomaly’s Colorado team responded without delay. The satellite sent sensor data to the ground, where controllers ran an algorithm to update targeting estimates. They designed, verified, and executed a new plan in quick succession, all without coordinating with Rocket Lab beforehand.
True Anomaly stated the exercise had no scripted moves. “Puma wasn’t playing a role. It moved to evade, and we had no advance warning of its actions.”
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The demonstration tested real-world adaptability. “Human decisions, unexpected conditions, and an adversary’s freedom to act are all genuine,” the company said. “Any system that hasn’t faced these hasn’t been truly tested.”
A Space Systems Command spokesperson declined to share specifics. “Due to operational security, further details involving sensor suites for characterization, phenomenology, payloads, distances, or docking will not be shared,” they said in response to questions from Ars.
A different pace in orbit
Rogers, who started True Anomaly in 2022, likened the maneuvers to a space dogfight. Unlike the fast-moving aerial battles in Top Gun, orbital pursuits move at a different rhythm.
Rogers noted earlier this year that space chases lack the intensity of air combat. “The tempo is slower, and the relative velocities are slower.”
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Both satellites traveled at about 17,000 mph, roughly 300 miles above Earth. In the same orbit, their movement resembled a careful dance rather than a sprint. The main difficulty lay in precision: adjusting paths in real time while accounting for orbital physics.
The demonstration also showed how commercial providers support military space operations. True Anomaly, established in 2022 by Rogers—a former Air Force space aggressor—develops technology for satellite tracking and proximity operations. The Space Force has turned to such partnerships to match adversaries’ progress.
No images from the exercise have been made public. The Jackal satellite, a compact but capable platform, continues orbiting as part of the ongoing mission. The Space Force hasn’t indicated whether it plans more tests like this one.