A paraglider safely touched down on Earth after dropping in twice from a dozen miles high.
The high-altitude tests were the beginning of the process of gently returning used space hardware to Earth. It could be used-up science experiments on the International Space Station.
Both industries need help. Satellites add space debris that threatens the infrastructure needed for weather forecasts and telecommunications. The International Space Station is so crowded with old equipment that cargo ships can't empty it fast enough.
Russian space debris forces the International Space Station to delay a space walk.
"I believe that what we're developing will put an end to space debris, that's what I think," said the CEO of the company. NASA awarded an early-stage contract to Outpost to design a "Cargo Ferry" version of their technology for the return of astronauts to the International Space Station.
The ferry will be ready by the time the International Space Station is scheduled to retire in 2030. He said that larger items would be flown home on traditional cargo ships.
His first major venture, Made In Space, was started in 2010. The first 3D printer for the International Space Station was co- produced by the company. The printer is stuck in space waiting for a cargo ship slot despite the fact that the Smithsonian will take it when it arrives.
The space ferry project was born to deal with the problem of space launching costs and space debris. "As I got more involved in the space industry and my career, a few things were nagging at me, so much effort was being put into getting things off the planet, and hardly any effort in getting things back to the planet."
There is a cloud of space junk.
In the past, we have produced single mission items for space that need to be returned to Earth. Early-stage satellite refueling first demonstrated in 2020 is one of the things that is changing. More should be done and that's what inspired him to start Outpost.
If we don't chart a better path we won't have millions of people living and working in space one day.
This would allow for an intact landing on Earth without the hardware burning up in the atmosphere, as the plan is to fetch the satellites in orbit with a small vehicle and then to guide them through the atmosphere. In order to bolster the business case, Outpost would fly up satellites during launch and pick up older satellites in the same place to return to earth.
In precision landing flight tests, we were within 5 meters of our target, thanks to robotically guiding the paraglider and satellite. NASA's successful test of a "flying saucer" inflatable Mars heat shield in November came down within 10 miles of its landing target.
The company is growing quickly despite the fact that its ideas are in early designs and tests. The company raised $7 million in seed funding last summer on the strength of their satellite ventures and now has 14 employees. As new space stations are likely to replace the International Space Station in the near future, it's likely that Outpost can contribute to their cargo needs.
The co-author of Why Am I Taller is Elizabeth Howell. A book about space medicine is in the works. Follow us on social media, like us on Facebook (opens in new tab)
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