Spaceport Cargo Logistics Depot and Space Cargo Unit Load Devices (ULDs) Optimization

This case study investigates the development of standardized and automated frameworks for point-to-point space cargo operations. By benchmarking terrestrial air cargo systems, where Space Cargo Unit Load Devices (ULD) and automated depots minimize human touchpoints and maximize throughput, the research conceptualizes families of standardized Space Cargo ULDs and highly automated, efficient Spaceport cargo depots. The purpose is to bridge best terrestrial air cargo practices with future space logistics, ensuring intermodal compatibility, lessen space ULD variation to standard families of ULD, and create automated cargo package processing depots. The key findings are the current Space cargo practices rely on manual packing and cargo payload integration and lack uniform Unit Load Devices (ULDs) or automated depots, resulting in inefficiencies that hinder the economic feasibility of the system. Ultimately, the study aims to establish ULD and cargo processing engineering and standardization that will enable space cargo operations to become efficient, scalable, and profitable within the emerging point to point rocket system .The Space cargo processing depot and point-to-point rocket integration will have to process the space cargo within a maximum of seven hours and download cargo in five hours to be considered successful according to the terrestrial air cargo benchmarking.