The Space force from the United States is financing the development of A spatial aircraft carrier which represents a strategic change in the race for the mastery of space. Your Development Office does Spacewerxwhich is associated with private industry to develop new technologies and spacecraft, through A $ 60 million contract with the American company Gravitics. This hope to be able to demonstrate its ability to preposition the orbital aircraft carrier and be able to display Satellites directly, without waiting to make a launch from the surface of the earth. This technology, described as The spatial equivalent of an aircraft carrierseeks to provide the United States Armed Forces of autonomous tactical capacity and quick response.
The company based in Seattle, specialized in space infrastructure, plans launch a first smaller version in 2026which will follow another more ambitious with an internal volume of 60 cubic meters and a launch mass of between 5,000 and 10,000 kg. The design consists of A cylindrical modulecovered with solar panels, with a non -pressurized compartment capable of hosting and releasing several satellites according to operational needs.
Until now, the Department of Defense has used fast releases from Earth to replace unusable satellites. However, gravitics orbital aircraft carrier It will already be in space, near strategic areas and thus reducing the necessary time to react to a threat.
According to the gravitics CEO, Colin Doughanthe system responds to a naval logic: ‘The aircraft carriers allow to have assets waiting near areas of interest. Our orbital aircraft carrier does the same, but in space ‘.
Orbital aircraft carrier is designed for transport multiple maneuverable vehicles that can be activated in situations such as Electronic War, Laser blinded or deliberate interference by an enemy. If necessary, a satellite stored in the ship could unfold quickly to block an enemy line of vision or restore lost strategic abilities.
The general SALTZMAN CHANCEChief of Space Operations of the Space Force, he said in the AFA Warfare Symposium last March that the US lacks the orbital service necessary to guarantee spatial superiority. The orbital aircraft carrier program seeks to cover this void, especially given the spatial capacities of China and Russiawhich include neutralization systems and simulated space combat exercises. The United States has accused China of building a network of antisatellite systems, aimed at interfering or neutralizing enemy space assets, which has described as ‘Killer mesh’.
Doughan, in a statement, has described the platform that gravitics is developing as a ‘Critical Initiative’ for the capacity of the US space force. ‘The orbital carriers Change the game rulessince it acts as a launch platform preposition in space. Avoid traditional launch limitations, allowing space vehicle operators Quickly select a deployment orbit on demand‘, he says.