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Completed TRL 6 (started at 3, targeting 6)
Today's cost to go to ISS and back represents a high barrier to entry for the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) economy. Commercial LEO Destinations (CLDs) as well as the International Space Station (ISS) are in need of the ability to have rapid cargo downmass capabilities in order to iterate quicker and accelerate their business. In this effort, Outpost Technologies Corporation (Outpost) will address this need and develop the Cargo Ferry which is a rapid cargo downmass vehicle that will be used for both returning cargo from commercial space stations as well as the ISS. Beneficial applications of our innovation include Earth return of non-human cargo, scientific samples, small payloads, and important research. Driving down the cost of Earth return would open the door to more throughput on the ISS National Lab while also enabling the broader Low-Earth orbit economy to flourish.
Potential NASA Applications: The ISS is at stowage capacity, requiring tough decisions by the ISS program office each time a new payload is manifested. By downmassing stowed cargo, more room is made for new science and R&D on station. On-demand availability of the Cargo Ferry as a backup trunk payload ensures there will be no empty trunk space on future missions.
Potential Non-NASA Applications: Dedicated payload and cargo return is one of the few remaining items left unsolved for CLD business models to close. Companies and institutions looking to iterate quickly in the space environment need fast Earth return. A human rated version of the Cargo Ferry may one day provide a solution for CLDs necessitating an emergency Earth return solution.
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This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
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