Space Delivery in 90 Minutes: US Tests Ghost Vehicle
US company Sierra Space has tested a system for returning cargo from altitudes of up to 20 km, reports Aviation Week.
Sierra Space, a US company, conducted tests of the reusable Ghost vehicle, which in the future could deliver cargo from space to Earth in 90 minutes. During the tests, the vehicle was dropped from balloons at altitudes of 10.7 km and 20.9 km.
A bottle of whiskey and a software-controlled radio were used as cargo. The goal was to verify whether liquids and sensitive electronics could withstand the stresses of descent. Eric Daehler, Senior Vice President of the company, stated that the tests proved such cargo could be safely returned and retrieved.
A key feature of the system is the pre-positioning of cargo capsules in orbit. They can remain there for up to five years and, upon request, deliver their contents to any point on the planet. This is expected to speed up delivery compared to sending cargo from Earth after an order is placed.
The technology is still in its early stages. The balloon tests verified only part of the system but not a full orbital return. The company still needs to confirm that the vehicle can operate long-term in space, safely re-enter the atmosphere, and land accurately.
In the future, Sierra Space plans to use Ghost for delivering cargo to hard-to-reach areas where conventional transportation methods take too much time.
