The program says its use of commercial vendors and focus on real-time operational needs make it different from legacy acquisition approaches.

The Space Force offered a rare glimpse into the X-37B’s latest endeavor, revealing that the spaceplane will conduct an aerobraking maneuver.

The Hera mission will investigate the result of NASA’s asteroid redirection test, in which the U.S. agency rammed a spacecraft into the asteroid Dimorphos.

The missions are slated for summer or fall of 2026 as part of the Space Force's tactically responsive space demonstration series.

If the Space Force deems it a clean mission, the rocket could be certified to fly national security satellites in the coming weeks.

Anduril announced in September it plans to build and launch its own spacecraft by late 2025.

Six firms will conduct feasibility assessments, considering the technical trades and engineering requirements for on-demand satellite de-orbit services.

“We have no map of space, it’s a drama for the military,” said Col. Ludovic Monnerat, head of space domain for the Swiss Armed Forces.