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Sierra Space Tests Ghost Reentry Vehicle Over Utah

Sierra Space conducted a high-altitude drop test of its Ghost reentry vehicle in Utah to validate payload recovery and thermal protection systems.

FTMQ Space, written by our newsroom0 views

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Picture: SatNews

Defense logistics contractor Sierra Space conducted high-altitude drop tests of its uncrewed Ghost reentry vehicle on October 11, 2026, SatNews reported. The test took place over the Dugway Proving Ground in Utah as part of the Apollo Nexus exercise conducted by United States Space Command. [1]

The test article weighed 10 tons and was dropped from high-altitude balloons at an elevation of 68,500 feet, according to SatNews. The vehicle successfully recovered its internal payload intact, validating its structural thermal protection and precision landing guidance systems. [1]

SatNews said the recovered internal payload contained a software-defined radio and a bottle of whiskey. The Ghost platform utilizes a deployable decelerator thermal shield designed to withstand atmospheric reentry temperatures reaching up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. [1]

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In short

  • Sierra Space tested its Ghost reentry vehicle over the Dugway Proving Ground on October 11, 2026.
  • The 10-ton test article was dropped from balloons at an altitude of 68,500 feet.
  • The test payload included a software-defined radio and a bottle of whiskey.
  • The platform thermal shield is designed to withstand reentry temperatures up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sources

Every paragraph above points to the numbered items it rests on. Read the originals here.

  1. [1]Sierra Space Conducts High-Altitude Drop Test of Ghost Reentry Vehicle for 90-Minute Global Point DeliverySatNews, 3h ago (the report this story comes from)
  2. [2]SpaceX Stock Could Disappoint by 2030: 5 Space Stocks Put to the Testmibolsillo.co, 6h ago
  3. [3]Sierra Space Conducts High-Altitude Drop Test of Ghost Reentry Vehicle for 90-Minute Global Point DeliverySatNews Publishers, 3h ago

Our newsroom writes these reports with the help of software, from the 3 sources listed and nothing else, and checks them against those sources. Facts can still be wrong or move on; the originals are the record. Spotted a mistake? Write to daniel@monsterkong.com.

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Earlier reports of ours on the same people and subjects.

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