TRANSCOM continues exploration of space-enabled mobility missions

U.S. Transportation Command is exploring the utility and potential benefit of using spacelift capabilities for mobility operations, according to a notice released today.

TRANSCOM said in the notice it plans to enter into cooperative research and development agreements with industry and academia to study how the command might use spacelift as an alternative to current mobility capabilities.

Study topics may include: the risks, costs and benefits of spacelift; a forecast of what commercial spacelift systems might be available in the 2030 time frame; and a look at what new mobility missions could be facilitated by on-demand spacelift today and over the next 30 years.

White papers are due Jan. 21.

Air Force Gen. Carlton Everhart, the former head of Air Mobility Command, had shown interest in the possibility of using space launch to enable future cargo missions, and he told reporters in 2018 he expected the Defense Department could develop a concept of operations for a space mobility mission by 2023.

The TRANSCOM notice does not include a time line for when DOD might move forward with a plan. The request for white papers appears to build on a similar call released in October 2018, which initiated a number of two-year CRADAs to explore the feasibility of space mobility missions.