The US is planning on building and launching the first ever ‘orbital carrier’ into space, acting like an aircraft carrier at sea and offering a new way of launching spacecraft and satellites into orbit.
This orbital carrier is depicted as a platform in Earth orbit that could hold multiple spacecraft and deploy them as and when needed.
Set up in 2019, the US Space Force is the space-based branch of the United States Department of Defense, addressing the country’s military and defence interests in space and Earth orbit.
Gravitics, Inc., a space infrastructure firm, has announced it has been selected for a Strategic Funding Increase by SpaceWERX, the innovation arm of the US Space Force, to work on the orbital carrier, with potential funding of up to $60 million.
“The Orbital Carrier is designed to pre-position multiple manoeuvrable space vehicles that can deliver a rapid response to address threats on orbit,” a statement from Gravitics says.
“This carrier will provide the US Space Force with unprecedented flexibility and speed for in-space operations, significantly enhancing the nation's space defence posture.”
Why use an orbital carrier?
Currently, the deployment of spacecraft such as satellites etc. involves launching from the ground, which is both costly and takes time.
The theory, then, as far as the US Space Force is concerned, would be for an orbital carrier to operate in Earth orbit, allowing the US to become more nimble, launching satellites and other spacecraft easier and more quickly.
However, the real financial cost and logistical effort of launching a pre-prepared orbital carrier into space remains to be seen.
Like the International Space Station, perhaps an orbital carrier would need to be assembled bit-by-bit, requiring multiple launches to carry each component into Earth orbit.
Similarly, any future spacecraft to be deployed by the orbital carrier may need to be delivered separately to the carrier via individual launches, one at a time.
"We're honoured to partner with the U.S. Space Force on this critical initiative," says Colin Doughan, CEO of Gravitics.
"The Orbital Carrier is a game-changer, acting as a pre-positioned launch pad in space. It bypasses traditional launch constraints, enabling space vehicle operators to rapidly select a deployment orbit on-demand."
