Firefly Aerospace supports U.S. Space Force VICTUS DIEM exercise

Firefly Aerospace supported Lockheed Martin in two responsive space exercises for the U.S. Space Force as part of the VICTUS DIEM mission. The support was announced at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., on March 25, 2026. The first exercise included a rapid payload processing demonstration. Spacecraft arrival operations, checkouts, mating and encapsulation were completed in under 12 hours. The second exercise included a 36-hour rapid launch simulation. It practiced and advanced emergency launch protocols required to execute tactically responsive space missions in a real threat scenario. In collaboration with Space System Command's System Delta 89 Tactically Responsive Space Program, known as Space Safari, and Space Launch Delta 30, the team completed the initial mission design, flight trajectory planning, launch collision avoidance analysis, range safety protocols and authorizations, and all final launch operations within 36 hours of receiving a simulated notice to launch. VICTUS DIEM was created to generate additional opportunities to exercise rapid launch capabilities through commercial partnerships within the government process. The results provide a continued focus on refining and codifying a repeatable process for rapid launch as part of the broader VICTUS program.