U.S. Developer of ‘Hunter’ Satellite Raises $260 M

Defense and space technology company True Anomaly has raised $260 million to fund development of its Jackal satellite, a key element of the U.S. tactical space operations program designed to counter orbital threats.

The details of the investment were disclosed in a company’s press release.

Founded in 2022, the Colorado-based startup said the new funding would support four space missions over the following 18 months.

These include a third test launch of its Jackal satellite into low Earth orbit to continue system validation and refine manufacturing processes. The company is also planning its first launches into geostationary and cislunar orbits—between Earth and the Moon.

The Jackal spacecraft is designed to conduct proximity operations around other space objects and perform surveillance tasks such as reconnaissance, data collection, and behavioral analysis of satellites in orbit.

According to the developers, the satellite’s 20-engine configuration and large fuel capacity provide high maneuverability. In low Earth orbit, it can perform velocity changes of up to 800 m/s, and up to 1,000 m/s in geostationary and cislunar space.

The satellite is equipped with optical and radar sensors to detect and track objects under various lighting conditions, enabling detailed observation of other spacecraft.

Jackal prototypes have flown three times. A year ago, two were launched into low Earth orbit to demonstrate rendezvous capabilities, but contact was lost shortly after launch. A third satellite was later deployed successfully and confirmed the system’s functionality.

True Anomaly’s satellites form part of the $30 million Victus Haze demonstration project, which aims to test the U.S. military’s ability to rapidly deploy space assets in response to emerging threats. The project is part of the broader Tactically Responsive Space initiative led by the U.S. Space Force.

The first US combat satellite?

Although officially described as a reconnaissance platform with no declared weapons, the Jackal’s maneuvering capabilities could allow it to disrupt or disable other satellites, raising questions about its potential offensive use.

True Anomaly CEO and former U.S. Air Force Major Even Rogers has acknowledged the dual-use nature of the technology, arguing that space defense requires “active measures,” including maneuvering, electronic warfare, and cyber operations.

He emphasized that there were ways to disable enemy satellites without physically destroying them:​
“The tactical disabling of enemy spacecraft can be the decisive factor between losing or saving an entire carrier strike group… There are many ways to destroy spacecraft environmental damage. After all, they are just computers floating in space.”

The Outer Space Treaty, signed by over 110 countries including the U.S., Russia, and China, prohibits the deployment of nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction in space. However, it does not ban the use of kinetic, electronic warfare, or laser weapons.