Starship Special Operations
Spec-ops will give Space Force wings
In 2024 Gregory Spanjers, chief scientist at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), discussed how Starship has dramatically changed the business case for rocket cargo transport. Following his lead SpaceX provided a little more information on some of the possible applications: -
"We have had conversations … and it really came down to specific missions, where it's a very specific and sometimes elevated risk or maybe a dangerous use case for the DOD where they’re asking themselves: 'Do we need to own it as a particular asset… SpaceX, can you accommodate that?’” ~ Gary Henry, a Senior Advisor for National Security Space Solutions at SpaceX/Space.com
The terms “elevated risk” and “dangerous use case” implies they are studying how Starship could be used in non-permissive scenarios, ranging from covert operations to future conflicts. Delivering materiel direct to the front-line is one possible application, followed by special force missions once proved reliable. The first step is to create a high launch cadence facility, preferably on a Space Force base for operational security.
Space Launch Complex 37
Recently SpaceX cleared the ground at SLC-37 at the Cape, as they prepare to construct 2 launch mounts for future Starship missions. They also have 2 launch mounts at LC-39A to support NASA missions, however SLC-37 is administered by the US Space Force (USSF), making it ideal for discrete military operations.
“Starship-Super Heavy at CCSFS would ensure mission-essential functions for the DOD, enable USSF to meet current and future mission requirements, and support civilian launch capabilities needed to meet projected rapid increase in launch requirements.” ~ SLC-37 Draft Environmental Impact Statement
This new facility could handle up to 76 launches per year, although the majority would be SpaceX flights, at least initially. When Space Force want to perform some form of covert mission they could use a SpaceX launch slot to fly their own specialized Starship with none the wiser – until it lands in theater. Normally alarm bells would ring if anything resembling an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) launches from the US but in this case the flight would not originate from a Minuteman silo hence not perceived as a threat by potential adversaries. In addition Starship has ~200 times the surface area of a Minuteman III so their radar signatures are distinctly different.
Special Operations
Starship’s huge lift capacity (200 tons fully reused, 400 tons with booster expended), plus its ability to land with pinpoint accuracy, opens some sumptuous prospects from a military perspective. For example: -
Medical relief – Starship could be equipped as a surgical hospital ready to be dispatched anywhere in the world. When a conflict erupts this medical Starship could arrive within an hour to begin surgical operations. Upon landing the nose cone could open to create a landing pad for medevac helicopters. Five or more operating theaters could be accommodated on the floors below. Starship could even be be equipped with frame tents which extend from the base to provide recovery wards.
Hostage rescue – Starship could land a special forces team relatively close to the captor’s position. This would effectively start the assault with explosive entry as Starship’s supersonic wake would likely stun anyone guarding the area. Then special forces would fast dismount using ropes or possibly personal electric rotors.
Site passivation – Starship could be loaded with 100,000 AI drones programmed to seek military personnel or equipment. This carrier Starship could land up to 50 kilometers from a military base then swamp it with drones, swiftly eliminating any resistance. Once the area is secure the carrier Starship could be recovered or failing that destroyed using its flight termination system.
While these applications might sound challenging, SpaceX would probably find them yawn-worthy compared to catching a 200 ton rocket with a giant pair of chopsticks...
Covert Operations
If a stealth coating can be applied to Starship it would effectively disappear from radar after stage separation, making it ideal for covert space operations. For example: -
Satellite interdiction – China and Russia operate snuggler/stalker satellites to monitor US communications/surveillance networks. Starship could capture these relatively small satellites then return them to Earth for full analysis. This should halt unwanted intelligence gathering and improve counter measures in the future.
Dome maintenance – the USSF intend to construct the Golden Dome constellation to defend against long range missiles. Inevitably this will be used to intervene in regional wars, such as the Israel-Iran conflict, which will deplete ordinance and stress the system. Starship could resupply Golden Dome satellites with interception missiles and replace any burnt out components such as solid state lasers (heat dissipation is difficult in the vacuum of space). Ideally this maintenance should be done discretely by Starship to avoid any sign of weakness.
Manned Missions
SpaceX plans to replace Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy with Starship after it completes development. At this point Starship should be fully reusable and reuse breeds reliability. It will certainly need to be reliable considering some of the possible applications...
“Let’s say you have a satellite and you launch and something goes wrong… BFR [Starship] has a capability to open its payload bay, either bring the satellite back in, close it, pressurize it, work on it and redeploy it. If you want to go see how your satellite is doing and if you’re getting interference in the GEO belt, maybe you want to go up there and take a look at your neighbors, seeing if they’re cheating or not, BFR will basically allow people to work and live in space and deploy technology that has not been able to be deployed.” ~ Gwynne Shotwell
Starship is highly autonomous, however a great deal more can be achieved through manned missions. For example: -
Critical deployment – Some defense satellites cost more than $2bn to develop and considered critical to national security. Ideally these satellites should be tended by service personnel to assist with the deployment and commissioning process. For example: on STS-27 an ONYX satellite failed to deploy its antenna dish, and reportedly the payload handlers managed to fix this problem with a spacewalk.
Space patrols – Cislunar space will see a lot of commercial activity in the coming years, which implies the USSF will have to patrol the region to provide a rescue/salvage/security service. There seems little alternative to Starship for this role because it can be resupplied and refueled in LEO or lunar orbit, giving it unmatched range and durability.
Command and Control – Once space operations begin in earnest, USSF will need a space station to coordinate activities. Communication with the ground could be interrupted due to jamming or solar activity, but a space based C&C should be unaffected as it would rely on lasers to communicate with surveillance satellites, drone spacecraft and the fleet.
In Conclusion
This is the breakout moment for Space Force if they can harness all the capabilities of Starship. While conservative interests might seek to restrict USSF budget, many new activities could be financed through the black budget, to speed the process and improve operational security.
Hopefully Space Force will become more like Star Fleet (from the Star Trek milieu) as its operations and capabilities mature. All this from SpaceX’s decision to develop Starship, and their unwavering dedication to space exploration.