As the notions of militarization and commercialization of space have overtaken the contemporary space discourse, the $60 million agreement between the US Space Force and Gravatics to develop spacecraft carriers has ignited the debate. This spacecraft carrier will improve the speed and manoeuvrability of the US Space Force for in-space operations, thus strengthening the US space defence capabilities. Meanwhile, this partnership highlights the transition of space activities from being purely government-led to increasingly being driven by commercial entities. 

Gravatics Orbital Carrier 

The US Space Force has granted a million-dollar contract to Gravatics for developing a satellite deployment system to launch new satellites into orbit without delay. This spacecraft carrier will serve dual purposes for the US Space Force. Firstly, it will support the launch of new satellites in space. Secondly, it will assist the space force to replace a satellite when it expires, especially during an emergency situation like satellite interference or attack. 

Gravatics Orbital Carrier can launch up to 10,000 kilograms (22,046 pounds) of cargo. The carrier is expected to be launched for demonstration as early as 2026.

The company’s CEO, Colin Doughan, said

“The Orbital Carrier is a game-changer, acting as a pre-positioned launchpad in space. It bypasses traditional launch constraints, enabling space vehicle operators to rapidly select a deployment orbit on demand.”

An Initiative to Combat China and Russia 

Although this spacecraft carrier is purely launched for civilian purposes, its primary feature to replace satellites in case of emergency with speed and manoeuvrability cannot be neglected. This spacecraft launch indicates that the US Space Force is launching this spacecraft carrier from a futuristic perspective, where US satellites could be threatened by Russian and Chinese satellite attacks.