Air Force Research Laboratory launches Rocket Cargo experiment on Falcon 9

The United States Air Force Research Laboratory launched its Rocket Cargo experiment aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral on October 20, 2026, 19FortyFive reported. The test took place as part of the uncrewed Bandwagon-5 rideshare mission, which carried a total of 32 payloads into orbit. As FTMQ Space reported earlier, the uncrewed Starfall reentry capsule weighed 2,100 kilograms and was making its second flight. [1][12][13]

According to 19FortyFive, the Starfall reentry capsule carried military cargo pods designed to collect data during flight. Sensor equipment inside the pods measured temperature, shock, and vibration. The test payload included batteries, survival gear, medical supplies, and a desalination unit to assess how well military supplies withstand launch, space environments, and atmospheric reentry. [1]

The primary objective of the Rocket Cargo project is to develop a system capable of transporting a payload equivalent to a C-17 aircraft load of 170,900 pounds anywhere in the world in under an hour, 19FortyFive reported. However, significant challenges remain open regarding operational costs, vehicle recovery, and explosion risks. [1]

The Air Force Research Laboratory is a scientific research and development detachment of the United States Air Force Materiel Command. The organization oversees military research programs to integrate aerospace technologies and provide advanced capabilities to air, space, and cyberspace operations. [9]