THE US Air Force is considering the usage of a potential space cargo service that could offer an around-the-world-in-30-minutes cargo route, reports. New York's Air Cargo World.
?Think about this: 30 minutes, 150 tonnes, less than the cost of a C-5 [Galaxy],?said USAF mobility commander General Carlton Everhart.
The project could be modelled on Elon Musk?s space exploration endeavor, SpaceX Missions, in which Mr Musk?s spacecraft, such as the Dragon, carries cargo to the International Space Station under NASA?s commercial agreements with SpaceX. The Air Force is said to be in talks with SpaceX on details.
General Everhart said the Air Force may propose major investments in space cargo in the next programme objective memorandum (POM).
In addition to the proposed service, the initiative could include pre-positioning equipment and supplies in orbit to be dropped down to Earth when needed.
While the project is still in initial stages, it is possible that within the next decade US troops could be using supplies that were transported to them through space, if General Everhart?s urgency is any indication.
?I would like to introduce that or at least start getting the initial resources done in the next POM cycle. I?d like to get it in 2020. Honestly 2022 is too late,?he said. ?I want it now. I?ve got to get these concepts now. This is the avenue for the future. If I can get it introduced and start the concepts right now, I?ll do it with my own money, I?m going to do it.
?Think about this: 30 minutes, 150 tonnes, less than the cost of a C-5 [Galaxy],?said USAF mobility commander General Carlton Everhart.
The project could be modelled on Elon Musk?s space exploration endeavor, SpaceX Missions, in which Mr Musk?s spacecraft, such as the Dragon, carries cargo to the International Space Station under NASA?s commercial agreements with SpaceX. The Air Force is said to be in talks with SpaceX on details.
General Everhart said the Air Force may propose major investments in space cargo in the next programme objective memorandum (POM).
In addition to the proposed service, the initiative could include pre-positioning equipment and supplies in orbit to be dropped down to Earth when needed.
While the project is still in initial stages, it is possible that within the next decade US troops could be using supplies that were transported to them through space, if General Everhart?s urgency is any indication.
?I would like to introduce that or at least start getting the initial resources done in the next POM cycle. I?d like to get it in 2020. Honestly 2022 is too late,?he said. ?I want it now. I?ve got to get these concepts now. This is the avenue for the future. If I can get it introduced and start the concepts right now, I?ll do it with my own money, I?m going to do it.