The Air Force Research Lab has issued a request for information about potential operational reusable booster system (RBS) concepts, noting that studies have shown an RBS “could reduce the cost of space transportation by significantly reducing the amount of flight hardware expended to achieve orbit.” According to the RFI, the system would entail a “robust booster” that could be “integrated with a family of expendable stages” to launch the full-range of military payloads, from suborbital to heavy-lift. AFRL specifically wants “operational variant information,” which it expects to provide “a better understanding of system options, potential capabilities, and opportunities to leverage industry activities.” Responses are due the middle of next month. (Reusable Booster Integrated Demo RFI)
The Space Force should take bold, decisive steps—and soon—to develop the capabilities and architecture needed to support more flexible, dynamic operations in orbit and counter Chinese aggression and technological progress, according to a new report from AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.
