Space Travel News
ROCKET SCIENCE
Sierra Space to lead global logistics with new defense contract
illustration only
Sierra Space to lead global logistics with new defense contract
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Oct 04, 2024

Sierra Space, a prominent player in commercial space and defense technology, announced it has been awarded a competitive contract by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for the Rocket Experimentation for Global Agile Logistics (REGAL) program. This contract will enable Sierra Space to advance logistics and material retrieval from space, setting new standards in global logistics innovation.

Earlier this year, Sierra Space introduced its Sierra Space Ghost decelerator, a spacecraft designed for the rapid return of payloads from Earth's orbit. The REGAL program will focus on expanding this technology to deliver essential supplies worldwide within 90 minutes, providing a critical edge in defense logistics.

In collaboration with AFRL, Sierra Space aims to scale its existing 150 kg payload system to accommodate up to 5 to 10 metric tons. Over the next year, the company will conduct a detailed study to further develop this technology, ultimately supporting larger payload returns from space, enhancing defense operations globally.

Tom Vice, CEO of Sierra Space, commented, "The Sierra Space Ghost unlocks scalable point-to-point logistics, transforming the way high-value materiel is transported to disrupted areas when and where it is needed most. This contract represents a significant leap forward in logistics capabilities and allows us to expand the Sierra Space Ghost into a larger form factor, ready for critical defense missions."

With a planned five-year on-orbit lifespan, the Sierra Space Ghost is designed for both pre-staged and rapid-launch missions, capable of delivering critical supplies anywhere on Earth within 90 minutes. Its flexible thermal protection system ensures the safe return of payloads by shielding them during re-entry.

This contract adds to Sierra Space's growing reputation as a defense industry leader, following its recent $1.3 billion in satellite constellation contracts. The company is committed to driving innovation in space logistics and supporting modern defense needs. In 2022, Sierra Space signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) to explore solutions using its Dream Chaser spaceplanes, Shooting Star cargo modules, and on-orbit infrastructure.

As the REGAL program progresses, the results will help shape the future of large-scale materiel delivery and inform the design of the Sierra Space Ghost's next development phases.

Related Links
Sierra Space
Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
ROCKET SCIENCE
Vulcan rocket awaits Florida launch for certification test
Washington DC (UPI) Oct 3, 2024
United Launch Alliance is set to send its second Vulcan rocket into space Friday, weather permitting, though the details of the certification mission are largely under wraps. "Highly proprietary, secret sauce. It's going to be awhile before we share more," ULA President and CEO Tory Bruno said in jest in a social media post. This will be ULA's second launch of the Vulcan rocket, and it's planned for liftoff from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. There is ... read more

ROCKET SCIENCE
ROCKET SCIENCE
Crew completes simulated Mars Mission at JSC

Mars' missing atmosphere could be hiding in plain sight

Martian rocks shed light on planet's ancient climate

A Striped Surprise

ROCKET SCIENCE
Unveiling charging and particle behavior of Chang'e-5 Lunar samples in electric field

Europe en route for Moon with new simulator, says astronaut Pesquet

Chinese scientists analyze Lunar Farside samples collected by Chang'e-6

Sentinel-2C satellite captures detailed lunar image during calibration

ROCKET SCIENCE
Technicians prep Europa Clipper for propellant loading

Volcanoes may help reveal interior heat on Jupiter moon

JunoCam identifies new volcanic feature on Io

Mystery of Trans-Neptunian Orbits Solved by Stellar Flyby

ROCKET SCIENCE
Exoplanet map reveals Neptunian Ridge separating planetary regions

This rocky planet around a white dwarf resembles Earth - 8 billion years from now

Astronomers catch a glimpse of a uniquely inflated and asymmetric exoplanet

Lab Findings Suggest Some Indicators of Life on Exoplanets May Be Misleading

ROCKET SCIENCE
Northrop Grumman selected to lead production of hypersonic interceptor

Sierra Space to lead global logistics with new defense contract

Leicester Spinout Perpetual Atomics to Pioneer Space Nuclear Power Solutions

Vulcan rocket awaits Florida launch for certification test

ROCKET SCIENCE
Xi emphasizes China's drive to lead in space exploration

China launches Yaogan 43B remote-sensing satellites from Xichang

Shenzhou-18 Crew Tests Fire Alarms and Conducts Medical Procedures in Space

Astronauts on Tiangong Space Station Complete Fire Safety Drill

ROCKET SCIENCE
Asteroid Ceres is a former ocean world that slowly formed into a giant, murky icy orb

Asteroid Ryugu's formation region may be closer than previously thought

OSIRIS-REx, 1 year later

Hera mission to unlock the secrets of Dimorphos asteroid

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.