Key Points and Summary on Orbital Carrier – The U.S. Space Force is moving forward with a futuristic concept: an “Orbital Carrier” designed to act as a space-based mothership for deploying smaller spacecraft and satellites on demand.
-Under a $60 million contract with the startup Gravitics, the program aims to create a pre-positioned launch pad in Earth orbit, enabling the rapid deployment of assets to respond to threats.
-This initiative comes as top Space Force officials, like Gen. Chance Saltzman, warn of the urgent need to achieve “space superiority” against the growing counter-space capabilities of China and Russia, who are reportedly practicing “dogfighting in space.”
Space Force Wants ‘Orbital Carriers’ To Deploy Spacecraft In Orbit
The United States Space Force—the newest branch of the US military—is planning to build and launch the first-ever ‘orbital aircraft carrier’ into space, acting like an aircraft carrier and offering a new way to launch spacecraft and satellites into orbit.
This orbital carrier is depicted as a platform in Earth orbit that can hold multiple spacecraft and deploy them as needed.
This “space-based carrier” is designed to provide a rapid response capability for deploying and maneuvering satellites in orbit, potentially for both offensive and defensive purposes.
The Seattle-based company Gravitics is developing the Orbital Carrier under a $60 million contract with the Space Force’s Space Werx.
“The Orbital Carrier is designed to pre-position multiple maneuverable space vehicles that can deliver a rapid response to address threats in orbit,” Gravitics said in a released statement.
“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.”
“We’re honored to partner with the U.S. Space Force on this critical initiative,” said 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.”
How does the Orbital carrier fit into our space defenses?
Purpose Of the ‘Orbital Aircraft Carrier’
The Orbital Carrier will serve as a pre-positioned launch pad in space, allowing the Space Force to quickly deploy satellites and other spacecraft for various missions, including responding to threats or conducting surveillance.
“Space superiority is our prime imperative…and we do not yet have the service we need,” Space Force chief Gen. Chance Saltzman said at the AFA Warfare Symposium in March.
Design Of The Carrier
The Orbital Carrier is envisioned as a large, maneuverable spacecraft capable of carrying and deploying multiple smaller satellites and spacecraft.
In recent years, the US Space Force has been pushing for the development of more responsive spacecraft operations. This means being able to reposition satellites quickly in orbit or launch spacecraft on accelerated timelines.
Rapid Deployment Cuts Reaction Time
It will enable the Space Force to rapidly deploy satellites in response to evolving threats or operational needs.
Pre-positioning will enable the Space Force to have a ready-to-deploy satellite force in orbit, rather than relying solely on ground-based launches.
Deploying satellites or other spacecraft is a time-consuming and expensive process. However, having an orbital carrier pre-positioned in space would cut down the response time for the US to just hours when the situation calls for it.
Space Carrier Has Flexibility As a Defensive or Offensive Weapon
The Orbital Carrier is designed to enhance the Space Force’s ability to respond to a wide range of space scenarios.
China and Russia may be conducting threatening maneuvers, according to General Michael Guetlein in the Space Force. He called it “dogfighting in space” at a Congressional hearing in March.
Dr. Brent Eastwood wrote, Space Force is practicing maneuvers that can also threaten enemy satellites. “Space Force has created units dedicated exclusively to targeting adversary satellites, has conducted ‘live fire’ jamming exercises against simulated adversary spacecraft and has trained units in ‘simulated on-orbit combat.'”
Typically, counter-space operations involve radiofrequency jamming, cyberattacks or using lasers to blind or ‘dazzle’ sensors on spy satellites.
Costs Will Be A Potential Show Stopper
The initial $60 million will be merely an ante into a very expensive pot. It will probably not be possible to launch an entire space carrier intact and pre-assembled.
This would take several dedicated launches. It would likely need to be assembled in space, similar to the International Space Station, and then the payload carrier spacecraft would have to be delivered in follow-on missions bit by bit.
This space station or orbital carrier will require a ground control system to ensure the spacecraft remains in orbit and that commands can be communicated immediately. “Vandenberg, we have a problem.”
The area of space in low-Earth orbit has always been perceived as a haven. No longer. China and Russia are determined, especially China, to turn space into another war domain.
The orbital carrier may one day be a much-needed weapon in protecting our space satellites and destroying our adversaries..
About the Author
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
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