NASA awards Outpost Phase 2 Ignite SBIR Contract for cargo return studies

by Staff Writers
Santa Monica CA (SPX) Oct 05, 2023
Outpost Technologies Corporation ("Outpost"), a sustainable space company that is spearheading a new wave of development in Earth Return and Reusable Satellites, announced that it has been awarded a Phase 2 Ignite Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract from NASA to continue development of the company's "Cargo Ferry" in order to deliver cargo back to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) and future commercial space stations in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

The Outpost Cargo Ferry is an adaptation of the company's Earth-returning Ferry satellite system, being built for commercial use. Applications of the Cargo Ferry include fast and reliable return of important cargo and payloads on ISS and commercial space stations including those with limited shelf life that need to be processed quickly on Earth.

The ISS is faced with the challenge of limited storage space in its labs and reducing stored cargo will allow for more scientific and R and D activities on the station. ISS also has more payloads waiting for return than Dragon's capacity can handle, and Cargo Ferry will fill the gap so that cargo will not be lost once ISS is decommissioned. A consistent method for prompt return of payload and cargo to Earth is also a gap in the business models for commercial LEO destinations that need to adapt rapidly in space.

A key component of the Outpost Earth return system is its compact design - about the size of a school backpack - which contains a flight-proven NASA heat shield to be deployed in space, thus maximizing space for customer payloads and making it a better fit for CLDs which are anticipated to be smaller than the ISS.

Outpost's satellite platform also includes a flight-proven re-entry system that has demonstrated the ability to achieve a 5-meter landing target accuracy. This landing-pad precision is a pivotal advancement for cargo return as many other capsule systems approach Earth with a dispersion range of over 1,000km, which carries uncertainty on the safety and efficiency of payload retrieval. Outpost is focused on creating an Earth return system that is more accurate, reliable, and adaptable to current and future NASA and commercial needs.

"For humans to expand our presence in space, we need the flexibility to transport new assets to space and, within the same mission, bring raw materials and existing assets back to Earth," said Jason Dunn, Outpost Founder and CEO.

"Our Cargo Ferry is the most cost-effective, flexible, and safe Earth return system in development, offering the most precise landing capability. We are pleased that NASA continues to value the engineering capabilities of Outpost in establishing this new operations paradigm."

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Artificial Intelligence Analysis

Defense Industry Analyst: 8

Stock Market Analyst: 7

General Industry Analyst: 6

Analyst

Summary

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Outpost Technologies Corporation has been awarded a Phase 2 Ignite Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract from NASA to continue development of a Cargo Ferry to provide a reliable and timely return of cargo and payloads from the International Space Station (ISS) and future commercial space stations in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The Outpost Cargo Ferry is an adaptation of the company’s Earth returning Ferry satellite system that is being built for commercial use and is designed to be compact, about the size of a school backpack, and contains a flight-proven NASA heat shield. Additionally, the ferry’s reentry system has demonstrated the ability to achieve a 5-meter landing target accuracy, which is a pivotal advancement for cargo return as many other capsule systems approach Earth with a landing precision of 40 meters or greater.

The Outpost Cargo Ferry is a much needed solution for the ISS, which has limited storage and more payloads waiting for return than Dragon’s capacity can handle. This technology is also necessary for commercial LEO destinations that need to adapt rapidly in space. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the space and defense industry, as it could revolutionize the way cargo and payloads are transported to and from space.

Over the past 25 years, there have been significant developments in the space and defense industry, including increased commercialization of space missions and the development of reusable spacecrafts. This article correlates with these trends, as Outpost’s Cargo Ferry is a technology that is being developed for commercial use and is designed to be reusable.

Investigative

Question:

• 1. What other applications can Outposts Cargo Ferry be used for?

• 2. How will the Cargo Ferry help reduce the cost of space missions?

• 3.

What are the potential safety concerns associated with the Cargo Ferry?

4. How will this technology impact the business models for commercial LEO destinations?

5. What other funding opportunities are available for Outpost Technologies Corporation to continue their research?

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