Jackal
True Anomaly autonomous orbital vehicle for rendezvous and proximity operations, space domain awareness and orbital-warfare missions.
Prototype
Capability · Space and counterspace
Satellite protection
Defending satellites against physical and electronic threats in orbit.
PrototypePart of Space and counterspace
Input links
0
Here and in 1 below
Assessment
Case for · why it matters
Space Force officials worry about Chinese and Russian spacecraft that fly close to U.S. and European satellites. Startups such as Fortastra and True Anomaly are building maneuverable spacecraft that can approach, inspect and, if needed, act against threats to other satellites.
Case against · the skeptic’s view
Close-in, uncooperative operations have little flight heritage: Fortastra's founder says there is not much data to support them, and True Anomaly's Jackal demonstrations have been self-funded test flights. Funded programs of record for active satellite defense remain limited.
Breakdown1
Products1
Sources3
- 1
TechCrunch · Mar 11, 2026 · Supports Technology
“U.S. Space Force officials have expressed deep concern about Chinese and Russian spacecraft that fly closely alongside American and European satellites”
- 2
Payload · Dec 11, 2025 · Supports Technology
“there aren’t a ton of items that have operated in space close to other items”
- 3
Payload · Supports Technology
“X-3 is the company’s third and most complex yet in a series of self-funded flight tests.”
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