SPECIAL Forces soldiers could be stationed in space, the head of the US Airforce said yesterday.
US General David Goldfein, Chief of Staff of the US Air Force, said space “special operators” would be able to strike anywhere in the globe within minutes from a military mothership in the stars.
Incredibly the scenario – which sounds like something from a sci-fi novel – is already being made possible.
The top Airforce officer – who commands 660,000 airmen and women – said technology developed by British Tycoon Richard Branson was paving the way.
He revealed Branson’s bid to make space open to tourists could create chances for elite Special Forces operations.
He told the Air Power Conference – a summit for leading airforce officers from around the world- in London: “Sir Richard Branson has developed Virgin Galactic.
“He has determined that the most rocket fuel costs are from the surface to 50,000 feet because that is where the air is the thickest.
“But if you can actually get a mother ship to take you to 50,000 feet and launch you from there then it is quiet cost effective.
“His business model is to take seven passengers into low earth orbit for a ride.
“The question for us is, what does that mean if I take seven special operators, put them on this and then can get to any place on the planet in less than an hour.
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