U.S. military-backed cargo pod promises 90-minute orbital delivery anywhere on Earth
Sierra Space is testing its Ghost reentry vehicle, which is designed to deliver supplies to any unit across the world within 90 minutes.
A U.S. military-backed firm, Sierra Space, is set to deliver cargo to any location on Earth within 90 minutes using prepositioned space assets. The company, a subsidiary of Sierra Nevada Corporation, recently completed two successful tests of its Ghost reentry vehicle, which was used to carry a bottle of whiskey and a software-defined radio. These tests were conducted using high-altitude balloons dropped from 35,000 feet and 68,500 feet, marking the first test of the vehicle in two years.
The demonstration is part of the U.S. Space Command's Apollo Nexus training exercise, which focuses on demonstrating the synchronization of multiple units in complex operations. The payload's contents were specifically chosen to show that both liquids and sensitive electronics could survive the trip back to Earth. Sierra Space senior vice president Erik Daehler stated that these cargo units are not designed for launching from another side of the world but rather to remain in orbit for up to five years, ready to be called down to troops as needed.
The Ghost cargo unit can deliver payloads up to 5-10 tons to any point on Earth within 90 minutes of being called. While this capacity may not be sufficient for large supplies like tanks or artillery pieces, it can still be useful for dropping equipment, ammunition, and supplies efficiently. This capability aligns with the U.S. strategy of pre-positioning supply ships in remote bases like Guam and Diego Garcia, ensuring that supplies can be deployed where they are needed, especially in areas where traditional air transport is not possible.
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