Start-up plans fastest delivery in the world

The latest project is “Ghost“. This is a system designed to deliver relief supplies from orbit to any location in the world.

First tests with helicopters

Recently were first drop tests carried out using the Ghost landing system. It was dropped with a Sikorsky S-76 helicopter to test the drop and flight characteristics.

In the future, this system will be dropped from orbit. It protects the delivery from the high heat that can reach up to 1,000 degrees Celsius can be. After that there will be a paraglider opened to gently bring the capsule to its destination on the ground.

Pre-loaded spaceships are ready in space

The plan is that several Ghost spaceships already preloaded in orbit stand by. If a delivery is requested, the goods should be delivered within 90 minutes can be taken to anywhere in the world. The desired delivery location should be with an accuracy of 100 meters to be hit.

Sierra Space primarily sees the application scenarios military and rescue operations. Ghosts could be inflatable during ship disasters Lifeboats throw off. Also the orbital delivery of Survival packs, for example with rations and first aid materials, is conceivable. For military operations could Ammunition or explosives dropped to resupply infantrymen or besieged outposts.

The necessary pre-equipment limits flexibility because you may not be able to send exactly what is needed – but only what you have in space at the time. But you have the time advantage. Being able to deliver relief supplies to even the most remote locations within 90 minutes is remarkable. It would take hours by plane if the place could be reached at all – keyword “Denied Airspacein war and conflict areas.

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Hypersonic delivery concepts

There are attempts from other companies within Launch a transport rocket within 24 hours to be able to. But in a life-threatening situation, 24 hours can be a long time compared to 90 minutes.

Some companies are therefore trying to develop a kind of hybrid solution. For example, one could Hypersonic transport glider be taken into the air by airplane. From there it launches into orbit and flies towards its destination. It then drops in altitude to land or drop the delivery over the target area.

Sierra Space has not said when Ghost will be ready for use. A beta program will now be started to test and further develop all aspects of the system.