EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- WALLOPS ISLAND, Va. – The U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) successfully launched the Department of War’s (DoW) Space Test Program (STP) S30 mission to deliver four Research and Development (R&D) satellites to low-Earth orbit (LEO) aboard a Rocket Lab Electron rocket at ≈ 12:00 AM EDT from Launch Complex 2 (LC-2) at the Virginia Spaceport Authority’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS), at Wallops Island.
In the coming days, satellite operators will make initial contact with the deployed satellites to ensure they are functioning nominally.
The DoW STP is managed by SSC System Delta 89’s (SYD 89) Innovation and Prototyping Program Office with support of USSF’s Space Combat Power (SCP) Program Executive Office (PEO).
The successful launch and deployment of the DoW STP-S30 mission is due to the partnership and coordination between the SYD 89 Innovation and Prototyping Program Office, the System Delta 80 (SYD 80) Small Launch and Targets Division, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Aerospace Corporation (Aerospace), and Rocket Lab.
"We are immensely proud of this collaboration with Rocket Lab, NASA, Aerospace, and SYD 80’s Rocket Systems Launch Program (RSLP). Their exceptional teamwork and dedication have made this achievement possible," said USSF Lt. Col. Brian Shimek, Director, Department of War, Space Test Program. "Proving these advanced technologies in the space environment is a critical step towards their integration into future operational Space Force systems, ensuring our nation maintains its edge in space," said Shimek.
Originally planned for Spring 2026 launch, the combined team worked through a myriad of technical and program management matters to shift STP-S30 five months ahead of the original scheduled date.
"Accelerating this launch by five months underscores our commitment to rapidly delivering innovative capabilities to the Space Force. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and expertise of the entire STP-S30 team," said Shimek.
The launch service, contracted to Rocket Lab, was executed using the Rocket Systems Launch Program (RSLP), the USSF's dedicated program for small, experimental, test and responsive launch, and was procured by SSC SYD 80’s Small Launch and Targets Division as part of the RSLP using the Orbital Services Program (OSP-4) contract with Category-1 mission assurance. RSLP is managed by SSC System Delta 80's (SYD 80) Small Launch and Targets Division. Both the DoW STP and RSLP programs are headquartered in Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.
The STP-S30 mission illustrates the flexibility and responsiveness of commercially available launch solutions for placing ground-breaking military space capabilities.
“This mission showcased flexibility. It’s one of the things we do best in RSLP. In eight months, we locked-down the payload manifest, solidified the flight requirements, tailored the mission assurance, had the rocket ready to go, and executed a flawless launch,” said USSF Lt. Col. Steve Hendershot, SYD 80’s Small Launch and Targets Division system program manager.
The flexibility and coordination across partners and industry leveraged speed and best practices not only ensured a successful mission, but also a reduction in cost and schedule.
“We led a fast-moving campaign, leveraged our provider’s industry processes and had a great launch of this unique spacecraft into an atypical orbit. Pulling the launch to the left saved time and money for all our mission partners,” said USSF Maj. Mike Wirges, SYD 80’s RSLP STP-S30 mission manager.
The USSF SCP PEO leads acquisition for advanced warfighting capabilities in the space domain, including orbital, electromagnetic, and cyberspace warfare. The office also oversees acquisition of space-based space domain awareness capabilities and a resilient space data network to rapidly provide battlespace data into a larger architecture through all phases of conflict. The portfolio maintains a critical focus on next-generation technology development through innovation and prototyping efforts, leveraging international, commercial, and interagency partnerships.
SSC is the U.S. Space Force field command responsible for acquiring, developing, and delivering resilient capabilities to outpace emerging threats and protect our Nation’s strategic advantage in, from, and to space. SSC manages a $15.6 billion annual space acquisition budget for the Department of War (DoW) working with joint forces, industry partners, government agencies, academia, and allied nations. For more information, visit ssc.spaceforce.mil and follow @USSF-SSC on LinkedIn.
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