- Outpost Technologies awarded a Phase 2 Ignite SBIR contract by NASA to further the “Cargo Ferry” system for efficient cargo return from the ISS and future LEO commercial space stations.
- The compact design of Outpost’s Earth return system offers precise landing capabilities, addressing the need for rapid and reliable cargo retrieval from space.
October 04, 2023, SANTA MONICA, Calif.– Outpost Technologies Corporation, a leading sustainable space firm, has announced its recent acquisition of a Phase 2 Ignite Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract from NASA. This collaboration aims to enhance the “Cargo Ferry” system, designed to transport cargo from the International Space Station (ISS) and future commercial Low Earth Orbit (LEO) stations back to Earth.
The Outpost Cargo Ferry, an offshoot of the company’s Earth-returning Ferry satellite system, is being developed for commercial utilization. It promises swift and dependable return of vital cargo and payloads, especially those with a limited shelf life requiring prompt processing on Earth.
Addressing the storage constraints of the ISS, the Cargo Ferry will play a pivotal role in optimizing space for scientific and R&D endeavors. With the ISS’s decommissioning on the horizon, the Cargo Ferry will ensure no cargo is left behind, bridging the gap left by Dragon’s limited capacity.
Outpost’s Earth return system stands out due to its compactness, roughly the size of a school backpack. It incorporates a NASA-approved heat shield, maximizing space for payloads. This design is particularly suited for Commercial LEO Destinations (CLDs), expected to be smaller than the ISS. The platform also boasts a re-entry system capable of a remarkable 5-meter landing target accuracy, a significant leap from other systems with over 1,000km dispersion ranges.
Jason Dunn, Outpost’s Founder and CEO, remarked, “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.”
About Outpost: Outpost Technologies is at the forefront of sustainable space development, emphasizing reusability over disposability. Their flagship product, Ferry, is a testament to this, offering reusable satellites that transport payloads to space and back. Outpost’s vision is to accelerate in-space development, ensuring industries can leverage space innovations rapidly. Sustainability remains at the heart of Outpost’s endeavors, as they champion the cause of low-cost reusability in space.
