The U.S. Air Force flew military cargo aboard a SpaceX Starfall capsule on Oct. 20, testing whether rockets could deliver supplies to troops anywhere on Earth within hours. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) launched its own cargo pods on a commercial rideshare mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, packing them with satellite trackers, batteries, survival gear, a water desalinator, and emergency medical equipment.
During the flight, sensors recorded temperature, shock, and vibration the cargo experienced during launch, spaceflight, and reentry. Engineers also checked whether a UNI-PAC III life raft would fit inside the capsule for future tests.
The flight was part of Rocket Cargo, an AFRL project studying whether large commercial rockets can move materiel around the world on tactical timelines.
“Any day you launch a rocket is a good day, but today was more than just another big rocket launch,” said Brig. Gen. Douglas P. Wickert, Department of the Air Force Technology Executive Officer and AFRL commander. “Today’s launch was another demonstration of how AFRL is partnering with industry to burn down risk, collect hard data and deliver war-winning technologies for the operational force.”
Starfall is SpaceX’s uncrewed reentry capsule, a squat disk about 3.1 meters (10 feet) across that weighs roughly 2,100 kg (4,600 pounds). It can return up to 1,000 kg (2,200 pounds) of payload under parachutes, with recovery planned in the Pacific Ocean. SpaceX flew the first Starfall demonstration in June.
AFRL says Rocket Cargo could carry tens of tons per launch to places with no runways or roads, with a goal of reaching almost any point on Earth within about 90 minutes and eventually moving loads comparable to a C-17 transport. In June, the Air Force awarded Colorado-based Geneva Technologies $4.3 million to help design the rocket cargo system. In August, the Air Force expanded Blue Origin’s role with a study contract now worth about $13 million.
“This was a critical achievement to demonstrate the potential of Rocket Cargo delivery for point-to-point rapid global mobility for the Future Force,” said Adam Remaly, director of the AFRL Technology Transition Office.
AFRL plans further tests with commercial rockets and reentry capsules as it gathers data on how cargo survives the trip.
Sources: DVIDS News · DVIDS News