The U.S. Space Force is studying the use of commercial large-scale rockets to quickly transport supplies to hot spots around the world, such as war zones. The project will leverage advances made by companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin, with the aim of giving rockets the ability to "express" up to 100 tons of cargo to a wide range of locations.
Schematic diagram of US military rocket cargo.
The Space Force is reportedly researching rockets that can land vertically and be reused, such as those developed by SpaceX. These rockets are partially reusable based on factors such as payload and propellant weight. The Space Force will also look into rockets that can "airdrop" cargo without having to land at their destination.
Acting Secretary of the U.S. Air Force John Roth said that rocket cargo is the first "pioneer" program being led by the U.S. Space Force and is part of the U.S. Air Force's overall technology and science strategy.
SpaceX is developing the "Starship" project, a super-heavy rocket with an upper stage that can land around the world.
Greg Spanjers, director of the rocket cargo program at the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, said that the idea of using rockets to transport supplies has existed since the beginning of space flight, but the high cost of rocket launches has put this idea in the past Prohibitive, now that re-launchable rockets have dramatically reduced the cost.
The reusable and vertical landing rocket developed by SpaceX has given the US military hope for rocket cargo.
A press release from the U.S. Air Force said the Air Force Research Laboratory will study the rocket's ability to land on "a wide range of non-traditional materials and surfaces, including in remote areas." It will also "investigate the rocket's ability to land safely near personnel and facilities." Capability" to design a rocket cargo bay and logistics for rapid loading and unloading, and to airdrop cargo after the rocket re-enters the atmosphere to provide services for rockets or aircraft in places where landing is impossible.
Spangers said that the US military's goal is to make the rocket "have the ability to transport 30 to 100 tons of materials," which is approximately equivalent to the transportation capacity of a C-17 cargo plane.
He said that SpaceX is not the only viable supplier with such capabilities, and companies such as Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance are trying to follow in SpaceX’s footsteps.
According to reports, the U.S. Air Force proposed $47.9 million for the rocket cargo program in the 2022 budget.
The US military hopes that space-launched rockets can deliver cargo weighing up to 100 tons to anywhere in the world within an hour.
Once the project is successful, rocket cargo will fundamentally change the pattern of rapid logistics. Not only can it focus on quickly dropping goods to various places, but it can also drop troops.
Earlier this week, the US Air Force revealed that it hopes the space launch rocket can carry up to 100 tons of cargo to anywhere in the world within an hour, with the program aiming to conduct a point-to-point test by the end of next year.
It is reported that the current cost of a C-17 aircraft to transport supplies anywhere in the world is about US$540,000, and sometimes the flight time may be as long as 18 hours.
Text/Nandu reporter Chen Lin
