The government – via its U.S. Defense Innovation Unit – is looking to commercial solutions for the responsive delivery of cargo to and from space.
Space cargo
The DIU highlights that the ability to rapidly re-supply time-sensitive cargo at precise locations, terrestrially, is a critical but under-developed capability.
“We curated and launched this project in response to a diverse set of needs we were hearing within the DoD. Responsive and reliable logistics and sustainment lines of communication are essential to the Warfighter,” said Austin Baker, Deputy Portfolio Director for DIU’s space portfolio.
“By prototyping commercial solutions for the delivery of cargo and other supplies to, through, and from space, we will equip the Joint Force with new methods for sustainment that directly address this need and provide a unique competitive advantage, particularly in instances in which conventional logistics pathways on Earth and in space are contested. The response from industry to this area of interest was tremendous.”
Sea-based spaceport
A year ago, the government awarded a $1.5 million contract to the same company to develop what was then described as a mobile, sea-based spaceport (right).
The Washington D.C.based firm described the initiative as a “revolutionary launch platform” capable of conducting orbital class launches that will be “opening up new horizons in space exploration”.
As part of the latest announcement, the DIU said a sea-based launch platform is a “strategically significant capability that increases equatorial launch access while enabling responsive launch coordination by avoiding high-traffic airspace”.
Image: DIU
See also: SaxaVord lands spaceport licence for vertical launches