The US Air Force continues to explore the possibility of delivering cargo to hard-to-reach areas using rockets and re-entry spacecraft. On October 20, as part of the Cart-5 mission, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Starfall capsule with experimental payloads from the US Air Force Research Laboratory. The experiment is being carried out as part of a rocket cargo program, which aims to deliver the necessary equipment much faster than conventional transport, including to places where there are no roads or tracks. Starfall is a disk-shaped return vehicle designed for experiments in zero gravity conditions and promising delivery of cargo between distant points on Earth. The capsule is designed to carry up to one ton of cargo. When returning through the atmosphere it is protected by a heat shield, and for a soft landing a parachute system is provided with the main parachutes, exhaust and braking. For the current test, laboratory experts prepared several payload modules with various equipment and sensors. The instruments must measure the shock, temperature and vibrations experienced during launch and recovery. The main challenge is to understand how to protect electronics and life support equipment from extreme flight conditions. The test payload included batteries, a satellite tracking device, a reverse osmosis water maker, emergency medical equipment and emergency survival kits. In addition, engineers checked whether it is possible to place the UNI-PAC III inflatable life raft designed for 20 people inside the capsule. Such a raft is equipped with a 72-hour supply of survival equipment for everyone, including water, food, thermal blankets and other necessary equipment. This mission tested the feasibility of deployment, not the operation of the raft after flight into space. The data obtained should help in the planning of future route supply systems.

The US Air Force continues to explore the possibility of delivering cargo to hard-to-reach areas using rockets and re-entry spacecraft. On October 20, as part of the Cart-5 mission, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Starfall capsule with experimental payloads from the US Air Force Research Laboratory. The experiment is being carried out as part of a rocket cargo program, which aims to deliver the necessary equipment much faster than conventional transport, including to places where there are no roads or tracks. Starfall is a disk-shaped return vehicle designed for experiments in zero gravity conditions and promising delivery of cargo between distant points on Earth. The capsule is designed to carry up to one ton of cargo. When returning through the atmosphere it is protected by a heat shield, and for a soft landing a parachute system is provided with the main parachutes, exhaust and braking. For the current test, laboratory experts prepared several payload modules with various equipment and sensors. The instruments must measure the shock, temperature and vibrations experienced during launch and recovery. The main challenge is to understand how to protect electronics and life support equipment from extreme flight conditions. The test payload included batteries, a satellite tracking device, a reverse osmosis water maker, emergency medical equipment and emergency survival kits. In addition, engineers checked whether it is possible to place the UNI-PAC III inflatable life raft designed for 20 people inside the capsule. Such a raft is equipped with a 72-hour supply of survival equipment for everyone, including water, food, thermal blankets and other necessary equipment. This mission tested the feasibility of deployment, not the operation of the raft after flight into space. The data obtained should help in the planning of future route supply systems.