The Pentagon launches a new space project. Sierra Nevada has received an order to develop a lightweight space station, the Unmanned Orbital Outpost, capable of carrying a variety of loads and supporting a wide range of activities. The already existing development will form the basis of the promising project.
New order
Last July, the Defense Innovation Unit announced plans to create an "orbital outpost" based on one of its existing spacecraft. In the near future, it was planned to study the available opportunities, receive proposals and launch design work.
The real launch of the new project on July 14, 2020 was announced by the press service of the Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC). DIU and SNC signed an agreement to design, build and launch a UOO product for the benefit of the Department of Defense. The cost of the contract and the timing of its implementation have not yet been disclosed. However, it should be remembered that last year the need to complete the work within 24 months was stipulated.
Under the terms of the contract, the new UOO station will be developed from the existing SNC Shooting Star transport ship design. The latter was originally created for operation with the Dream Chaser reusable spacecraft and was supposed to provide flights to the ISS. Now it is proposed to redesign the design and ensure the implementation of other tasks.
SNC notes that the Shooting Star project is ready and has a high modernization potential. To create an "outpost" of the UOO type, only a minor alteration of the existing structure is required. At the same time, the technical details of such modifications are not named.
The SNC Corporation is proud that the Pentagon is interested in its project and will be able to develop in a new capacity. Now Shooting Star can find application not only in cargo missions with the Dream Chaser ship, but also in other areas.
Base ship
The base for UOO will be the existing Shooting Star project, well known to experts and the public. The available data on this ship allows us to imagine what a military "outpost" will be like at its base. As noted by the development company, fundamental design changes will not be required. Consequently, the characteristics will remain the same.
The Shooting Star is a disposable cargo spacecraft. It has been developed since 2016 as part of the NASA Commercial Resupply Services-2 program. The objective of the project was to create a "truck" capable of supporting the ISS.
The ship received a conical hull with a length of 15 feet (approx. 4.5 m). It houses a large sealed compartment for the main payload, and provides for the installation of three leaky cargo cases on the outer surface. The total carrying capacity of the ship is 10 thousand pounds (4.5 tons). The ship is equipped with a pair of expandable solar panels with a total capacity of 6 kW. There are six shunting engines.
The Shooting Star product can be used both independently and together with the Dream Chaser reusable ship. In the latter case, great flexibility of application is provided, associated with the possibility of separating cargoes into returnable and combustible in the atmosphere.
According to current plans, Dream Chaser and Shooting Star will make their maiden flight next year. Together, the ships will reach the ISS and deliver the necessary cargo to it. Then the reusable spacecraft will pick up the necessary cargo, return to Earth and land, and the one-time "truck" will burn up in the dense layers of the atmosphere along with the waste.
Space outpost
It is argued that the Shooting Star can deliver various cargoes into orbit, and in addition, the ship can be equipped with one or another equipment. The latter possibility forms the basis of the UOO project. However, specific payloads for such a station have not yet been named. Only the possibility of carrying out various experiments in microgravity conditions is indicated.
The SNC press service reports that the first version of the UOO station will operate in low Earth orbit. In the future, it is possible that new modifications will appear that can operate in other orbits, up to a flyby of the Moon, depending on the customer's requirements.
Thus, UOO can be considered primarily as a research and development platform. With its help, the DIU and the Pentagon will be able to conduct the necessary experiments, dramatically reducing dependence on NASA and other structures. At its own research station, the military will be able to test communications, space reconnaissance systems, navigation, etc.
In the future, it is possible to use the "outpost" for solving specific military tasks. Having worked as a test platform and confirming the operability of its load, UOO can become a communications satellite, scout, etc. Such a station can even accommodate weapons that do not violate existing international treaties. In the recent past, the possibility of further development of the project was mentioned, the result of which will be a manned outpost station for certain tasks.
It is claimed that developing a UOO based on Shooting Star will not take long, but a specific timeline has yet to be announced. Last year's DIU statements suggest that the first flight of the "orbital outpost" will take place no later than 2022 - about a year after the launch of the base cargo vehicle. After that, it is possible to start active operation with regular starts.
For two organizations
The new order from the Pentagon is of particular importance to SNC. As part of the Dream Chaser and Shooting Star projects, she works in the non-military field - through NASA. Obtaining a contract from the DIU allows you to transfer existing developments to the military field and get all the attendant advantages and opportunities. In fact, one project with some modifications can be implemented in two departments. Accordingly, SNC can count on more orders and additional income.
A military project from SNC may be more promising than a "commercial" one. As part of the NASA CRS-2 program, the Shooting Star ship has to face fairly tough competition. In the military sphere, the situation is simpler - the agreement for the creation of the UOO has already been signed, and you can safely start work without worrying about its future.
The DIU UOO is useful for the military as well. With its help, the Pentagon will receive its own multipurpose space platform, suitable for experiments and practical activities. The "Orbital Outpost" will be a good addition to other military spacecraft, and will also ensure the further development of this direction.
Thus, in the near future, the Sierra Nevada corporation will have to complete several major projects at once. Next year, she should conduct the first launch of the system as part of the Dream Chaser and Shooting Star ships, and in parallel, work will take place on a military version of the latter - the Unmanned Orbital Outpost. Such a station can make its first flight in 2022. Perhaps, already in the first flight, it will have a real payload.
In general, the UOO project is quite interesting and has good prospects. In just a few years, the "orbital outpost" will be able to show all its capabilities and enter full-fledged operation. The emergence of such technology opens up new opportunities for the Pentagon. How they will be used, what it will lead to and how it will affect the US military space program, time will tell.
