U.S. military adds Blue Origin to its point-to-point space cargo development program
December 30, 2021 9:50 am Robert Zimmerman
Capitalism in space: The U.S. military on December 17th signed an agreement with Blue Origin to add it to its point-to-point space cargo development program.
The command last year signed similar agreements with SpaceX and with Exploration Architecture Corp. (XArc). Blue Origin is the third company to ink a CRADA [as these development contracts are called] for the rocket cargo program.
Under CRADAs, companies agree to share information about their products and capabilities but the government does not commit to buying anything. U.S. TRANSCOM's analysis of industry data will inform the newly created "rocket cargo" program led by the Air Force Research Laboratory and the U.S. Space Force. The Air Force in its budget proposal for fiscal year 2022 is seeking $47.9 million to conduct studies and rocket cargo demonstrations. [emphasis mine]
I highlight the total budget of this program to show that this is a very small government program. The cash it provides these three companies is nice, but it is chicken feed when compared with the total cost of development. It certainly will not result in a faster pace at Blue Origin in developing its New Glenn rocket, which is presently two years behind schedule with further delays almost certain because its BE-4 rocket engine is not yet ready for mass production.
Whether the program itself is a good thing, or merely another example of government crony capitalism, is open to question. The practicality of using either Starship or New Glenn for cargo transport remains very unproven, especially for New Glenn, which was not designed with such a purpose in mind and cannot land its upper stage on Earth as Starship can.
Col Beausabre
I have this picture of a squad of riflemen from the 82nd Airborne staggering out of a smoking tin can into enemy fire in some hellhole. Where's Slim Pickens when you need him?
Jeff Wright
You don't need Starship itself- just an upper stage that can shove a biconic shell that covers a pallet with tanks/troops that parachute once subsonic. The spent aeroshell as a boat, with men in those jet wing suits dropping. Lots of load-outs possible. One a Daisy Cutter.
Hat's off to Bob Heinlein
https://www.christianbook.com/starship-troopers-robert-heinlein/9780441014101/pd/014104?en=bing-pla&event=SHOP&kw=fiction-0-20%7C014104&p=1179517&dv=c&msclkid=ee510b2ff30a14a94fe96ae17a037f11&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping%20Main&utm_term=4580565442033017&utm_content=s-fiction
Which I first read, interesting enough, while at Jump School at Fort Benning
john hare
Starship Troopers. Read the book, cringed the movie.
pzatchok
A huge one way second stage built for soft landings. Just enough engine and fuel to bring it in safe.
Maybe solid fuel engines like the Russians use. Parachutes for slowdown.
Pack the solders in like sailors in a sub. Flat on their back with just enough room to turn over. Gear packed in even tighter.