With Starfall, SpaceX is looking at the edge of delivering global cargo from orbit

FAA environmental review approves SpaceX’s proposal for two Starfall launches. It did not specify whether these demos will be performed on one or two projects. SpaceX intends to retrofit the vehicle, including parachutes and heat shields, “to the extent possible,” the FAA said.

The Starfall vehicle is cylindrical in shape, with a diameter of 10.2 feet (3.1 meters) and a height of 2.5 feet (0.75 meters). Starfall weighs about 4,600 pounds (2.1 metric tons) and has a payload capacity of 2,200 pounds (1 metric ton), for a total weight of 6,800 pounds (3.1 metric tons). Designed only for cargo, the Starfall is small compared to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft used to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station.

A closer look at the Starfall reentry vehicle.

Credit: SpaceX

The Starfall Demo’s first mission will be a few hours in a low-Earth orbit, but the vehicle can also fly in short orbits after launch on a Falcon 9 or Starship’s largest rocket. This version of Starfall can’t steer itself, but instead relies on its launch vehicle to get back into space. After separating from the rocket launcher, the disc-shaped vehicle uses compressed nitrogen gas to direct its heat shield in the right direction for reentry.

So who can use it like Starfall? The US military is one obvious answer. The Pentagon is already working with SpaceX on the so-called concept Rocket Cargo or Point-to-Point Deliverywhich can use a Starship to deliver large quantities of weapons and supplies to remote locations in less than an hour. The Starship is a large vehicle, approximately 20 stories tall and 30 stories wide, that must land on a designated platform. Starfall can be a versatile way to deploy light.

The military has also signed contracts with Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, and Anduril for the training and development of technology to carry cargo around the world from space. Although Starship, which is still undergoing flight tests, SpaceX may have the first chance with the Starfall delivery vehicle.