Ghost Reentry Vehicle Testing
A U.S. military-backed company plans to deliver a payload to any point on Earth within 90 minutes by prepositioning assets in space and then calling down delivery vehicles as needed. Sierra Space, a subsidiary of the Sierra Nevada Corporation, has successfully completed two test drops of its Ghost reentry vehicle while carrying a bottle of whiskey and a software-defined radio. According to Aviation Week, the test was conducted using high-altitude balloons that dropped it from 35,000 feet and 68,500 feet.
While this test is an achievement for the team working on the project, it marks the first test of the vehicle in two years. This demonstration is part of the U.S. Space Command’s Apollo Nexus training exercise, which aims to demonstrate the needed synchronization of multiple units in complex operations.
Payload Survival and Testing
The test’s payload was specifically selected to show that liquids and sensitive electronics could survive part of the trip back to the surface. Sierra Space senior vice president Erik Daehler stated that the team was able to safely demonstrate and prove survivability through all environments and subsequent recovery by ground personnel.
Orbital Logistics and Deployment
These cargo units are designed to stay in orbit for up to five years and then be called down to troops as needed. Daehler emphasized that getting supplies into denied areas where traditional aircraft cannot drop safely makes space an effective logistics node.
The company states that Ghost can deliver its payload to any point on Earth within 90 minutes of initiation. Because the system relies on space-based assets, the military must anticipate supply needs in advance. The Ghost features a capacity of five to ten tons, making it suitable for delivering equipment, ammunition, and specialized supplies without risking aircrews.
