{"id":20902,"date":"2020-10-07T20:24:29","date_gmt":"2020-10-07T20:24:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2020\/10\/07\/the-pentagon-wants-spacex-delivering-cargo-around-the-globe-and-a-live-test-could-come-next-year\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T21:53:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T21:53:24","slug":"the-pentagon-wants-spacex-delivering-cargo-around-the-globe-and-a-live-test-could-come-next-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/space\/2020\/10\/07\/the-pentagon-wants-spacex-delivering-cargo-around-the-globe-and-a-live-test-could-come-next-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Pentagon wants SpaceX delivering cargo around the globe \u2014 and a live test could come next year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Transportation Command is taking the potential for cargo delivery via orbit seriously enough that it hopes to test the concept with SpaceX<\/a> as soon as next year, the command\u2019s head said Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In what he called a \u201cprovocative thought,\u201d Gen. Stephen Lyons said: \u201cI\u2019m really excited about the team that\u2019s working with SpaceX on an opportunity, even perhaps in as early as \u201921, to conduct a joint proof of principle\u201d for space-based delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dream, Lyons told the National Defense Transportation Association, is to be able to move 80 tons of cargo \u2014 the equivalent of a C-17 transport \u2014 via a space-based vehicle anywhere on the globe within one hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThink about the speed associated with that, whether a small force element or other capability,\u201d he said. \u201cI can tell you [SpaceX is] moving very, very rapidly in this area.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A TRANSCOM spokesman said details of the potential \u201cproof of principle\u201d are being worked out with SpaceX, and it will involve \u201cdelivering cargo from one place to another through space.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a public release after Lyons’ comments, TRANSCOM revealed that the command entered into two cooperative research and development agreements, or CRADA, related to the project. The Elon Musk-founded SpaceX<\/a> signed on in March, and xArc, a commercial \u201cspace architecture\u201d firm, signed on in April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the CRADAs, the two firms are working to assess technical, regulatory and cost barriers to the idea of space-based delivery. While the agreements do not come with federal funding, TRANSCOM is \u201cproviding expertise in logistics and distribution in austere environments which will inform commercial space industry efforts to support programs that will ultimately be required to operate on the lunar surface and eventually Mars,\u201d according to the news release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SpaceX has gained notoriety for its ability to launch and then land a reusable system back on Earth, something that has led to speculation that there could one day be space-based transportation around the globe. xArc\u2019s role is unclear, but based on its portfolio, the Austin, Texas-based company may be working on designing a landing pad of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Requests for comments from SpaceX and xArc were not returned by press time.<\/p>\n\n\n\t