Oracle-M Completes Successful Hot Fire Test for Cislunar Space Mission

Oracle-M Completes Successful Hot Fire Test for Cislunar Space Mission
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 12, 2025

The United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) have achieved a critical milestone in cislunar space situational awareness (SSA) with the successful completion of the Oracle-M (Oracle-Mobility) Hot Fire Test at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Conducted from March 16 to 21, 2025, this test represents a pivotal step in readying Oracle-M for its mission to monitor and track objects navigating the vast region between Earth and the Moon.

Oracle-M is an advanced SSA pathfinder satellite designed to deliver persistent situational awareness in cislunar space. The satellite aims to demonstrate novel tracking and navigation capabilities essential for future space operations. It will showcase trajectory estimation for monitoring cislunar objects, utilize cloud-based ground operations that integrate government and contractor collaboration, and employ affordable commercial ground systems for navigation and communications. The mission will also support critical data collection and distribution to enhance overall situational awareness.

The Oracle-M Hot Fire Test at AFRL Edwards assessed the satellite's innovative propulsion system, which integrates Hall Effect thrusters fueled by Xenon gas alongside propellant management and power processing units. While these thrusters have undergone individual testing, this was the first evaluation of the complete propulsion module as a fully integrated system. The test, made possible by the unique capabilities at AFRL Edwards, served as a significant risk reduction effort, verifying that the propulsion system can function as expected in the harsh environment of space. This evaluation provides essential data to confirm flight readiness or address any unforeseen technical issues ahead of the satellite's upcoming mission.

The successful test clears a major technical hurdle for Oracle-M, confirming its propulsion system's readiness for space deployment. Once launched as a secondary payload on a National Security Space Launch, Oracle-M will deliver an unprecedented SSA capability for the U.S., enabling continuous tracking and monitoring of objects beyond geosynchronous orbit. This marks a critical advancement in U.S. efforts to extend situational awareness into the cislunar domain, providing invaluable data and operational experience for future deep-space missions.

With the propulsion system validated, Oracle-M will proceed with pre-launch preparations. Upcoming milestones include final ground system operational testing in April 2025, integration with the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) mission, launch readiness reviews, and mission rehearsals. Each step brings Oracle-M closer to launch, reinforcing U.S. leadership in deep-space operations and national security.