The U.S. Air Force is preparing an environmental impact review for a groundbreaking military logistics project. The plan involves constructing two landing pads on Johnston Island, a remote atoll in the Pacific Ocean. These pads will facilitate the reentry of vehicles under the Air Force’s Rocket Cargo program, an ambitious initiative spearheaded by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).
A notice in the Federal Register on March 3rd will formally announce the intent to prepare an environmental assessment. This assessment will thoroughly evaluate the environmental consequences of building and operating the landing pads. The assessment anticipates up to 10 reentry vehicle landings annually for four years. This testing phase will serve to demonstrate and refine the capabilities of the Rocket Cargo program, envisioning delivery of critical supplies globally within hours.
The environmental review will include collaboration with various federal agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Wildlife Refuge System. This collaboration is essential, considering the atoll's status as part of the Pacific Remote Islands National Wildlife Refuge. A draft assessment is expected in April, followed by a 30-day public comment period allowing stakeholders to offer input.
The Air Force selected Johnston Atoll after considering several remote, government-controlled locations. It was the only site meeting all operational criteria: remoteness, security, U.S. control, accessibility by air or sea, and capability to support the removal of reentry vehicles. These requirements align with FAA Launch and Reentry Licensing Requirements, prioritizing public safety through isolated landing zones.
Johnston Atoll, located approximately 700 nautical miles southwest of Hawaii, has a significant military history. Since the 1930s, it served as a hub for various activities, including nuclear testing. Decommissioned in 2004, it was transferred to the National Wildlife Refuge System, yet remnants of its military infrastructure remain.
The Rocket Cargo program signifies a substantial advancement in military logistics, utilizing the commercial space sector to drastically reduce delivery times. AFRL aims to achieve same-day delivery using space vehicles, such as reentry capsules released from rockets in flight, unlike traditional airlift methods which can take days.
Companies like Inversion Space, Outpost, Sierra Space, and Varda Space are developing these capsules. Launch providers such as SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and Blue Origin have Air Force contracts to demonstrate these capabilities. The envisioned scenario involves a rocket launching into orbit, releasing a cargo-laden reentry vehicle, which then glides back to Earth, landing precisely at Johnston Island. Pending environmental approval, the Air Force plans to begin testing this year.