--- title: "The Space Force Is Working on an Aircraft Carrier for Space" description: "Space startup Gravitics has been awarded a $60 million contract by the US Space Force to develop an \"orbital carrier.\"" date: "2025-03-26" modified: "2025-03-26" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/space-force-aircraft-carrier-space" categories: - "Space" - "Space Force" tags: - "satellites" - "space force" - "the digest" --- # The Space Force Is Working on an Aircraft Carrier for Space ![Space startup Gravitics has been awarded a $60 million contract by the US Space Force to develop an "orbital carrier."]() *\Image: Gravitics\* ## Orbital Carrier Space startup Gravitics has been [awarded a $60 million contract]() by the US Space Force to develop an "orbital carrier" that can deploy satellites from orbit. As [*Ars Technica* reports](), such a spacecraft could give the military a much faster way to respond to threats to national security in orbit compared to sending a satellite on a rocket into space. While many questions remain about what exactly this carrier could be capable of — unsurprising, considering the sensitive nature of the plans — it's yet another sign that the US military is looking to beef up its presence in orbit, highlighting a brewing "space arms race." ## Space Superiority Gravitics officials told *Ars* that the carrier will provide unpressurized space to house one or more satellites, which can be deployed at will in orbit. The goal is to isolate them from the hostile space environment, sparing their batteries and other sensitive electronics. The carrier could also help hide the satellites from adversaries. "The Orbital Carrier is a game-changer, acting as a pre-positioned launch pad in space," said CEO Colin Doughan in a statement. "It bypasses traditional launch constraints, enabling space vehicle operators to rapidly select a deployment orbit on-demand." Other than developing an orbital carrier, Gravitics has [already started working]() with space startup Axiom Space on a pressurized space module. Given the latest development, the company is now looking to expand into the national defense sector as well. "The vision is space superiority," Doughan told *Ars*. "We think that vision is very compatible with both a Department of Defense product line as well as a commercial one." **More on satellites:** *[Astronauts Release Wooden Satellite From Space Station]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()