The Pentagon has signed a contract with a U.S. startup specializing in the development of space station modules.
This collaboration aims to test Pentagon technologies in the context of increasingly reactive and tactical space applications. Is this considered the first step towards the development of a military space station?
The announcement regarding this research contract was made by the startup Gravitic, founded in 2021.
They are developing a prototype module named StarMax, with a diameter of 7.6 meters and a volume of 400m3—equivalent to 40% of the total volume of the current International Space Station (ISS).
The upcoming test of the U.S. Department of Defense’s space station module is considered the first step towards the development of a military space station (Illustration: Futura Science).
Faster Response Capabilities in Space
The United States Space Force, the Pentagon’s space unit, is eager to explore any technology that allows them to respond more quickly in their space operations.
The Pentagon aims to be able to react swiftly in the event of a threat in space, such as the emergence of an enemy missile or satellite near their satellites.
Russia and China are often identified as threats to U.S. military satellites, with reconnaissance satellites, patrol satellites, or even so-called zombie satellites.
Last year, the Pentagon tasked a U.S. company named Victus Nox to conduct a high-response mission test, which was successful.
A military space station certainly receives special attention from the United States Space Force.
In general, a station module could be used for various purposes—especially tactical issues—including faster responses on Earth.
Will we one day see a U.S. military space station in orbit?
In fact, armed forces are increasingly turning to orbit to conduct microgravity experiments that cannot be carried out on Earth.
Many countries, even those that do not have strong space programs, have sent their military astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) to conduct experiments, through cooperation with space superpowers like the U.S.
