Sierra Space to lead global logistics with new defense contract

Sierra Space to lead global logistics with new defense contract
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Oct 04, 2024

Sierra Space, a prominent player in commercial space and defense technology, announced it has been awarded a competitive contract by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for the Rocket Experimentation for Global Agile Logistics (REGAL) program. This contract will enable Sierra Space to advance logistics and material retrieval from space, setting new standards in global logistics innovation.

Earlier this year, Sierra Space introduced its Sierra Space Ghost decelerator, a spacecraft designed for the rapid return of payloads from Earth's orbit. The REGAL program will focus on expanding this technology to deliver essential supplies worldwide within 90 minutes, providing a critical edge in defense logistics.

In collaboration with AFRL, Sierra Space aims to scale its existing 150 kg payload system to accommodate up to 5 to 10 metric tons. Over the next year, the company will conduct a detailed study to further develop this technology, ultimately supporting larger payload returns from space, enhancing defense operations globally.

Tom Vice, CEO of Sierra Space, commented, "The Sierra Space Ghost unlocks scalable point-to-point logistics, transforming the way high-value materiel is transported to disrupted areas when and where it is needed most. This contract represents a significant leap forward in logistics capabilities and allows us to expand the Sierra Space Ghost into a larger form factor, ready for critical defense missions."

With a planned five-year on-orbit lifespan, the Sierra Space Ghost is designed for both pre-staged and rapid-launch missions, capable of delivering critical supplies anywhere on Earth within 90 minutes. Its flexible thermal protection system ensures the safe return of payloads by shielding them during re-entry.

This contract adds to Sierra Space's growing reputation as a defense industry leader, following its recent $1.3 billion in satellite constellation contracts. The company is committed to driving innovation in space logistics and supporting modern defense needs. In 2022, Sierra Space signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) to explore solutions using its Dream Chaser spaceplanes, Shooting Star cargo modules, and on-orbit infrastructure.

As the REGAL program progresses, the results will help shape the future of large-scale materiel delivery and inform the design of the Sierra Space Ghost's next development phases.