ABL Space Systems

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

ABL Space Systems is a company based in El Segundo, California, undertaking launch vehicle and launch systems technology development using CNC and 3D printing and minimized launch operations. The company manufactures its components in the United States.[1] Harry O'Hanley is the Chief executive officer (CEO) and Dan Piemont is the Chief financial officer (CFO) of ABL Space Systems.[1]

History[]

ABL Space Systems was founded in 2017 by Harry O'Hanley and Dan Piemont, former SpaceX and Morgan Stanley employees. The RS-1 is a planned launch system using two stages. It will offer a maximum capacity of 1,350 kg (2,980 lb) to low Earth orbit (LEO).[2]

In 2018, ABL Space Systems signed with Camden County, Georgia for future operations in Spaceport Camden.[3]

Testing[]

In early 2020, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) joined with ABL Space Systems to test and develop rocket-propulsion components.[4] In October 2020, the second stage with E2 engine was tested at Edwards Air Force Base.[5]

Planned launches[]

Proving flight[]

The first flight is planned for mid-2021 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.[6] ABL will use Launch Complex 576E (LC-576E).[5]

Scotland[]

On 7 February 2021, Lockheed Martin United Kingdom announced a contract with ABL to launch the (6 CubeSats) in 2022, from the Shetland Space Centre on the island of Unst, Scotland.[7][6]

St. Marys, Georgia[]

In 2018, ABL contracted with the city of St. Marys, Georgia in Camden County to use the former St. Marys Airport (FAA LID: 4J6) as a launch site.[8] The former airport is about 7 km (4.3 mi) from the East Coast at Cumberland Island, Georgia, and would be part of the Spaceport Camden range.

RS1[]

Each stage powered by ABL's , nine in the first stage, and one in the second stage. They are powered by RP-1 kerosene with liquid oxygen (LOX) as the oxidizer.[2]

The containerized launch system and rocket can be deployed to and launched from a suitably flat site, the main requirements being access for trucks capable of carrying up to 16 m (52 ft) ISO containers (for the RS-1 first stage), and a flat concrete pad 46 m (151 ft) x 15 m (49 ft).

ABL Space Systems is planning the first orbital launch of its RS1 rocket in 2021. The firm received contracts worth US$44.5 million from the U.S. Air Force, as well as private funding equaling US$49 million. According to Dan Piemont, the US$44.5 million Air Force contracts[9] include a one-year deal from the tech incubator AFWERX to demonstrate launch technology and an agreement with Space and Missile Systems Center's Space Enterprise Consortium to conduct three demonstrations of a RS1 vehicle variant and deployable ground infrastructure in 2022.

The RS1 is capable of carrying a payload of 1,350 kg (2,980 lb) to the low Earth orbit.[10] It is 27 m (89 ft) tall, and the company is planning the first launch for "no earlier than March 2021 but no later than June 2021".[11]

Launches are planned to cost US$12 million per launch.[5]

In 2019, it was planned to have Three E1 engines, each producing 42,000 pounds-force of thrust, power the rocket's first stage. A single E2 engine, with 13,000 pounds-force of thrust, will be used on the rocket's second stage. Both engines will use liquid oxygen and RP-1 propellants. The first development build of the vehicle has been completed.[12]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "ABL Space Systems Company". ABL Space Systems. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "Even Rockets Can Be Simple". ABL Space Systems. 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  3. ^ "ABL Space Systems Signs Lease with JDA to Begin Operations in Camden County". Business Wire. 17 September 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Rocket Report". Ars Technica. 7 January 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c "ABL Space Systems tests launch vehicle stage". SpaceNews. 22 October 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b "British military's space campaign picks up steam with "Skynet" upgrade". C4ISRNET. 8 February 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Lockheed Martin selects ABL Space Systems for UK launch". SpaceNews. 7 February 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  8. ^ "ABL Space Systems". Parabolic Arc. 19 September 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  9. ^ "AFRL awards agreements under Aerospike Rocket Integration and Sub-orbital Experiment (ARISE) Program". Wright-Patterson AFB. 13 April 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  10. ^ "Small launch startup ABL secures over US$90 million in new funding and Air Force contracts". SpaceNews. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  11. ^ Sheetz, Michael (8 January 2021). "Los Angeles rocket startup ABL Space aims for first launch as early as March". CNBC. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  12. ^ "ABL Space Systems increases performance and cuts price of its small launch vehicle". SpaceNews. 1 February 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2021.

External links[]

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