Outpost Technologies Corporation (Outpost), a leader in advancing multi-ton Earth return technologies for the space economy, has been awarded a $33.2 million, four-year Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) contract by the Air Force Ventures program (AFWERX). This funding will support the development and testing of a scalable heat shield, payload bus, and paragliding system for the Joint Precision Orbital Cargo (J-POC) space vehicle, aimed at enhancing hypersonic testing and reentry missions. The announcement was made on August 22nd at Fed Supernova 2024 in Austin, TX, with the project slated to begin later this year.
The AFWERX award will enable Outpost to advance four key missions: the Ferryall Earth-return vehicle and the development of the Outpost Carryall, which will transport up to 10 tons of cargo back to Earth, with the first launch planned for late 2026.
Jason Dunn, Founder and CEO of Outpost, highlighted the impact of the STRATFI program: “This initiative will significantly enhance the safety of our military personnel by enabling space-based delivery of supplies and payloads, reducing the need for aviators to navigate hazardous airspace. Outpost’s technology ensures that vital logistics and supply lines remain intact while minimizing risks to our forces.”
Dunn further noted, “Our scalable heat shield and autonomous atmospheric paraglider represent a major breakthrough, allowing for the return of multi-ton cargo from space. This advancement will support the government’s hypersonic testing and reentry missions by providing a reliable method for collecting crucial data and facilitating private manufacturing of space materials, like fiber optic cables, which will benefit life on Earth.”
Recently, Outpost has also secured new contracts, including a $1.25 million Space GARAGE (Global Asset Resupply And Gear Enhancement) Direct To Phase 2 contract with the Air Force. This project will focus on utilizing the Ferryall and Carryall vehicles to store and deliver cargo on orbit, ensuring timely supplies anywhere on Earth. The Space GARAGE program aims to advance re-entry technology and enhance logistics support for global warfighters in challenging locations.
