Will the U.S. Space Force build a military outpost in space?

SpaceWERX has awarded a $1.7 million contract to a start-up developing potentially habitable spatial modules, which could form the basis of a U.S. military outpost in space

Gravitics has announced that it has won a $1.7 million Small Business Innovation Research contract from SpaceWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force (USSF). The start up is working on research and development of commercial space station modules, which potentially signifies a desire for the USSF to establish a sustained presence of military personnel in space.

The collaboration represents an ongoing effort by the USSF to adapt to changing warfare, intelligence and security dynamics in outer space. Gravitics is working on development of an advanced spatial module called StarMax, which is of particular interest to the USSF due to its size and capacity, which is equal to around 40 percent of the total volume of the International Space Station. StarMax is a cylindrical module with an aluminium hull that spans 7.6 metres in diameter, offering 400 metres of volume.

Tactically responsive space

This is the latest effort by the USSF to develop capabilities for tactically responsive space (TacRS), a concept within military and defence strategies that focuses on the development and deployment of space systems capable of rapidly responding to changing tactical situations on Earth or in-orbit. StarMax could be utilised as a habitable outpost fostering a permanent presence of military personnel in space, that would be capable of responding rapidly to space-based threats as they develop.

The USSF has made strides in this area recently, having laid out plans for the first ever military exercise in space. The operation, dubbed ‘Victus Haze’, is scheduled to take place no later than Autumn of 2025 in response to the ever-growing threat from other global powers in the final frontier.

The exercise will see a spacecraft from Rocket Lab chase a True Anomaly satellite in-orbit, marking the first time such an exercise has ever been conducted. The unprecedented nature of the demo will likely mean that the USSF will gain invaluable new information on the challenges and strategies involved with threat response in-orbit.

The USSF is aware of the evolving threats in space and a dedicated, space-based military outpost would not only help to facilitate further military exercises in the future but enable rapid response to developing threats.

Stephen Duall, Associate Chief, Space Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission, will speak at the Space Logistics Conference on how space logistics can meet the needs of the next generation space age.