USAF Warms to Rocket Freight Idea

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TheGreenGoblin
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USAF Warms to Rocket Freight Idea

#1 Post by TheGreenGoblin » Sat Jul 03, 2021 4:53 pm

The US Air Force (USAF) has named “Rocket Cargo” as its fourth “Vanguard” programme, meaning the concept is a top science and technology development priority for the service.

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) will advance the technology, studying the viability of using large commercial rockets to deliver US Department of Defense (DoD) cargo anywhere in the world – in 90min or less, it says on 4 June. Recent advancements in large, reusable commercial rockets have made the concept seem feasible, the laboratory says.

It wants to piggyback on commercial rocket cargo efforts via “service leases”, but declines to name potential commercial partners. However, SpaceX offers reusable rockets that might be retrofit candidates. Blue Origin is also developing reusable rockets.

The AFRL aims to research and develop unique technologies needed for military rocket cargo missions.

“This includes the ability to land a rocket on a wide range of non-traditional materials and surfaces, including at remote sites,” the laboratory says. “In addition, AFRL scientists and engineers will research the ability to safely land a rocket near personnel and structures, engineer a rocket cargo bay and logistics for rapid loading and unloading, and air drop cargo from the rocket after re-entry in order to service locations where a rocket or aircraft cannot possibly land.”

Delivering cargo via rocket is not a new idea, says Greg Spanjers, AFRL Rocket Cargo programme manager. In the past, rockets’ high cost and small payloads have made the concept impractical.

But the development of large, reusable commercial rockets that return to, and land on, Earth has made the concept worth considering, Spanjers says.

In particular, SpaceX has brought down the cost of space launches by using reusable rockets. Most recently, the company test launched its Starship rocket to 32,800ft in altitude before re-landing the spacecraft on Earth. That rocket can carry a 100,000kg (220,000lb) payload to Earth orbit, SpaceX says.

The AFRL is eyeing rockets capable of carrying a payload of between 30,000kg to 100,000kg – a bit more than a Boeing C-17 strategic transport, which can carry a 77,500kg payloads, Spanjers says.
Starship.JPG
https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/us ... 37.article
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