Pentagon eyes SpaceX's Starship for global transport: New era of rapid payload delivery

The first stage, Super Heavy, stands about 230 feet tall and weighs around 220 tons. It houses approximately 3,976 tons of fuel in liquid methane and liquid oxygen to power its 33 Raptor engines.

The Super Heavy also has aerodynamic surfaces for control within the lower atmospheric layers. It also features valves governing the upper atmosphere, where the thin air renders traditional controls ineffective. These control capabilities are essential as Super Heavy is a reusable module for recovery after launch completion.

The Starship module, perched atop the Super Heavy module, stands 164 feet tall and is equipped with six Raptor engines, three apiece for atmospheric and space operation.

This configuration aims to haul at least 110-ton payloads into orbit, ultimately empowering human exploration trips to Mars, our neighboring planet.

Despite two unsuccessful launches in April and November 2023, which contributed significantly to structural development, preparations are now in progress for the third attempt. According to updates from Elon Musk, the launch may occur by February or early March.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon, through their partnership with SpaceX, has found a novel potential use for the large rocket, beyond its initial intended purpose. The concept revolves around utilizing the Starship's capabilities for swift terrestrial point-to-point transport. This initiative has piqued the interest of the Department of Defense and has been a subject of discussion at a conference mounted by the US space forces, specifically about Space Mobility.

For now, the practical application of this concept translates into speedy payload delivery. It should take no more than an hour to reach any global location with supplies from American territory. Work on constructing the associated cargo bay is reportedly already in progress.

The emergence of global competition from China, whose developmental efforts on the Long March family of rockets have significantly reduced transport costs, is a critical factor. A kilogram of payload launch with the Long March 5 rocket currently costs about $2,700, projected to halve with the forthcoming Long March 9 rocket to roughly $1,350 per kilogram.

This competitive pressure has sparked innovation. Harnessing the potential of the Starship, capable of at least 100 missions carrying minimum payloads of 110 tons, gives America a considerable advantage. The estimated cost of launching a kilogram payload using Starship is a mere $180, which will likely tumble to just $18 for missions within Earth.

Therefore, it's projected that rocket transport costs could eventually match those associated with large transport aircraft (as typified by the C-17 Globemaster transporter), albeit at substantially higher speeds.

Rocket transportation isn't a new concept. Two years ago, the Pentagon revealed details of the Rocket Cargo program, which proposes using ballistic missiles as quick transporters. This initiative is managed by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU).

Justification for rocket use was made with the requirement for rapid delivery of humanitarian relief or military supplies (and potentially personnel) in mind, particularly under high-intensity conflict circumstances.

The preliminary objectives of the program include creating rocket transport capabilities comparable to a C-17 aircraft (capable of carrying up to 90 tons of cargo) and reducing costs by leveraging existing civilian technologies. Rapid transit times - ideally less than an hour to anywhere worldwide - are crucial.

The Rocket Cargo program not only entails the Starship's development as a carrier but also involves developing infrastructure that ensures its quick return to the launch destination.

Safety ranks among the top challenges for users of rocket transport. It includes ensuring rockets' safe launch and landing and protecting them from potential enemy counteractions.