The US Air Force seeks to convert its offshore oil platforms into rocket recovery platforms

The U.S. Air Force is seeking to transform offshore oil platforms into landing platforms to recover rocket boosters launched by the U.S. Space Force and private spaceflight companies.

The proposal, called Project Able Baker, would solve two problems, the Air Force said. First, new offshore recovery stations would provide a cheaper way to recover heavy reusable rockets so they can be relaunched. And it would give new use and refurbishment to decommissioned oil rigs before they become environmental hazards.

“This approach aims to provide the U.S. Space Force and its commercial partners with a distributed network of recovery sites that improve launch cadence, reduce sonic boom exposure, and leverage existing maritime infrastructure to reduce operational costs,” according to an Air Force solicitation issued through the Small Business Innovation Research program.

The Air Force views these old oil rigs as an alternative to using ships to recover the rockets — a method used by companies like SpaceX. One benefit would be “reducing reliance on expensive, custom-built drones and facilitating higher launch frequencies,” the solicitation states.

To achieve this, older oil platforms must be hardened to handle “the specific plume, vibration and high-intensity point load dynamics” of modern rockets, such as SpaceX’s Falcon 9, United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan and Blue Origin’s New Glenn, the Air Force said. Rockets are capable of sending heavy equipment into orbit.

Other desired features of offshore oil platforms include “passive/active flame deflection, remote fire suppression systems, and precision navigation aids for autonomous landing guidance.”

Additionally, these platforms should have “integrated barge or vertical takeoff and landing systems to move propellants from the landing area to transit vessels.”

The first phase of the call for tenders calls on companies to establish the technical and economic feasibility of the concept. The focus is on “structural load analysis, environmental impact assessment, and development of a regulatory roadmap for operations in federal waters.”

Companies may also be asked to identify at least three offshore platforms capable of handling heavy rockets.

Part of the assessment process should include the impact of sonic booms on ships and nearby coastal populations, as well as the impact on the local ecosystem, the Air Force said. The rigs must align with the federal government’s Rigs to Reefs initiative to transform decommissioned oil rigs into aquatic habitats.

The second phase would involve the fabrication and installation of “a modular reinforcement kit on a representative bridge section of an offshore structure to validate construction techniques and material resiliency,” the SBIR said. The tests would use “inert mass drops (10 to 25 tonnes) or static fire simulations – to capture high-fidelity data on deformations, acoustic vibrations and interactions with plumes”.

The Able Baker SBIR project presents an unusually detailed list of potential dual-use benefits for the government and commercial sectors.

With the number of space launches and orbital satellites increasing in recent years, the Air Force is considering a series of converted oil rigs that could ease pressure on land sites and speed up the entire launch and recovery process.

“By reusing existing offshore assets, the system provides a strategic alternative to traditional coastal launch and landing operations, significantly increasing launch cadence while reducing acoustic and debris risks,” the SBIR said.

It would also enable tactically responsive space capabilities “in high seas or high latitude environments, essential for responsive access to space.”

China is already building offshore platforms to recover heavy rockets.

Perhaps anticipating attention from environmentalists, the Air Force emphasizes that the offshore recovery station concept is an “environmentally friendly solution.”

“Hundreds of offshore oil and gas platforms located in federally controlled waters are reaching the end of their operational life cycles,” the Air Force said. “Traditional decommissioning and complete removal processes are capital-intensive, costing more than $1.6 billion per platform, and often cause significant disruption to established marine ecosystems. »

About Michael Peck

Michael Peck is a Defense News correspondent and columnist at the Center for European Policy Analysis. He holds a master’s degree in political science from Rutgers University. Find him on X at @Mipeck1. His email is [email protected].

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos