What's Happening?
Orbital Operations, a startup founded by former Relativity engineers, has raised $8.8M to develop a high-thrust orbital vehicle for the Space Force. The vehicle, designed to loiter on-orbit for years, aims to solve the problem of propellant boil-off, enabling long stays in space. The Astraeus vehicle will use hydrogen and oxygen as propellants, cooled to extreme temperatures to prevent boil-off. The technology promises to enhance space domain awareness and interception capabilities.
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Why It's Important?
The development of the Astraeus vehicle represents a significant advancement in space technology, offering potential applications for the Space Force in space domain awareness and interception. The ability to loiter on-orbit for extended periods enhances strategic capabilities and provides a deterrent against adversarial satellites. This technology could also have commercial applications as an orbit transfer vehicle.
What's Next?
Orbital Operations is building a test stand for its engine and developing a terrestrial demonstrator for its cryogenically cooled tanks. The company aims to demonstrate its ability to cool propellants for long-term space missions by the end of the year. The success of this technology could lead to further government contracts and expansion into commercial markets.
Beyond the Headlines
The development of the Astraeus vehicle highlights the importance of innovation in space technology and the potential for startups to contribute to national security and commercial space exploration. It underscores the need for continued investment in research and development to advance space capabilities.
