Author Topic: FedEx Launches Space Division (Read 3781 times)

mr. mark · « **on:** 05/22/2014 07:12 pm »

FedEx is getting into the commercial space business.
http://mashable.com/2014/05/20/fedex-space/

catdlr · « **Reply #1 on:** 05/22/2014 08:29 pm »

Looks like someone with a science experiment from the ISS, recently brought down by SpaceX Dragon, was using them:

https://twitter.com/ryneches/status/468923734477504512

NovaSilisko · « **Reply #2 on:** 05/22/2014 08:33 pm »

Step 2:

mr. mark · « **Reply #3 on:** 05/22/2014 08:47 pm »

Quote from: catdlr on 05/22/2014 08:29 pm

Looks like SpaceX is already using them:

https://twitter.com/ryneches/status/468923734477504512

Could you specify on the SpaceX connection thanks.

catdlr · « **Reply #4 on:** 05/22/2014 08:53 pm »

Quote from: mr. mark on 05/22/2014 08:47 pm

Quote from: catdlr on 05/22/2014 08:29 pm
Looks like someone with a science experiment from the ISS, recently brought down by SpaceX Dragon, was using them:

https://twitter.com/ryneches/status/468923734477504512

Could you specify on the SpaceX connection thanks.

Source: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=34768.msg1201647#msg1201647
looks like recipient of the cargo (from UC Davis) is using them (not directly SpaceX), but was posted on the NSF SpaceX thread). I can delete if you wish.

Jim · « **Reply #5 on:** 05/22/2014 10:07 pm »

This is no different than Fedex Custom Critical

http://customcritical.fedex.com/

Experimenters were using this for Spacehab in the 90's.
and they deliver items to Astrotech all the time.

mr. mark · « **Reply #6 on:** 05/23/2014 03:23 pm »

Ok, my question comes down to this. Could a client/customer deliver a package via FedEx and delivered on Dragon or Cygnus to the ISS if it was cleared by NASA? Not sure why you'd need FedEx in the equation but, hypothetically could it now be done.

Archibald · « **Reply #7 on:** 05/23/2014 04:28 pm »

FedEx and space is a loooong history reaching back as far as the early 80's. Express-star satellites, zapmail, private space shuttles and Titan IIIs, and even some interest in hypersonics. Fred Smith had some vision back then...

Danderman · « **Reply #8 on:** 05/23/2014 04:34 pm »

Quote from: mr. mark on 05/22/2014 07:12 pm

FedEx is getting into the commercial space business.
http://mashable.com/2014/05/20/fedex-space/

It looks like ground ops for high value payloads that need to be shipped to the launch site.

Nanoracks already has generated 100+ customers, and so FedEx probably sees some value in a dedicated service for this stuff.

Jim · « **Reply #9 on:** 05/23/2014 06:11 pm »

Quote from: mr. mark on 05/23/2014 03:23 pm

Ok, my question comes down to this. Could a client/customer deliver a package via FedEx and delivered on Dragon or Cygnus to the ISS if it was cleared by NASA? Not sure why you'd need FedEx in the equation but, hypothetically could it now be done.

They could deliver it to the launch site but it would still be unpackaged.