[XorNot]

Realistically this means Orbital DropShip Trooper as a role designation is probably 10-20 years out. Launch a Starship, kick out the drop pod "over" the target and then coast suborbital to landing zone (or go orbital and return to launch site).

A one-hour deployment capability anywhere in the world would revolutionise special forces.

[techdragon]

Yuri Gagarin technically performed the first “orbital drop” style manoeuvre if you want to get into the semantics. The Soviets were concerned about the efficacy of the landing systems and made the decision (and designed the capsule to facilitate this) have him egress the and parachute to a nearly guaranteed safe landing rather than accept the risk of his death in an accident on landing.

[garmaine]

"Space Force" has become the butt of jokes, but when you actually look at the numbers it clearly is the future of American military dominance.

(Not that surprising, considering it was a bipartisan idea that predates Trump.)