The @SpaceForceDoD has selected SLC-15 to be a dedicated home for RS1 launches at Cape Canaveral
SLC-15 hosted 26 Titan I and Titan II launches from 1959 to 1964. There's a lot of history there to remind us that we are building upon the work of so many others.
We'll use SLC-46 beginning later this year to serve our near-term customer manifest while SLC-15 activation work is completed
QuoteThe @SpaceForceDoD has selected SLC-15 to be a dedicated home for RS1 launches at Cape Canaveral
I don't get why RS1 needs a "dedicated home."
I don't get why RS1 needs a "dedicated home." ABL's whole thing has always been "containerized launch," and they're going to use this capability to launch from SLC-46, a "clean pad" designed for such launches. Are they planning on building fixed, non-containerized RS1 infrastructure at SLC-15? How will that improve on the mobile infrastructure they already have?I almost wonder if this is secretly related to their rumored larger launch vehicle: that one probably requires fixed infrastructure and could launch from SLC-15. It would make more sense than "we can't rely on SLC-46, because maybe Astra will launch so often they'll hog the pad and we won't be able to use it."
The second stage of RS1 completes Acceptance Testing in Mojave, CA
Space Force awards ABL with a $15 million contract for a responsive launch mission (TacRS):
Space Systems Command Awards $15 Million Contract to ABL Space Systems for Responsive LaunchEL SEGUNDO, Calif. - Space Systems Command's Assured Access to Space (AATS) office has awarded a $15 million contract to ABL Space Systems to demonstrate responsive launch capability.The Small Launch and Targets Division at Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico, part of AATS, awarded the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Strategic Funding Initiative (StratFI) to develop a launch mission design that incorporates planning for numerous satellites to multiple orbits from a variety of locations and conduct a proof-of concept responsive launch."The Space Force is committed to growing Tactically Responsive Space capabilities, including launch, space, and ground segments, to meet the needs of combatant commanders," said Lt. Col. Justin Beltz, chief of the Small Launch and Targets Division. "We are excited to work with ABL to explore robust planning options, complementing the Space Force's other Tactically Responsive Space efforts. This mission area is evolving quickly, and it's important we continue to push the bounds of speed, responsiveness, and flexibility.Space Systems Command is the U.S. Space Force's field command responsible for acquiring and delivering resilient war fighting capabilities to protect our nation's strategic advantage in and from space. SSC manages a $15 billion space acquisition budget for the Department of Defense and works in partnership with joint forces, industry, government agencies, academic, and allied organizations to accelerate innovation and outpace emerging threats. Our actions today are making the world a better space for tomorrow.-30-
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Sept. 18, 2023 – ABL has been selected by Space Systems Command’s Assured Access to Space office for a tactically responsive launch demonstration. The $15 million contract, part of our existing STRATFI contract, complements ABL’s ongoing work for low cost, flexible launch supporting Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS).“The U.S. Tactically Responsive Space team has pursued the ability to integrate spacecraft within days and launch within hours. ABL’s goal is to expand this capability to multiple sites across the globe,” said Dan Piemont, President at ABL. “Our task under this contract is to maintain readiness at two separate deployed launch sites and receive an order to launch RS1 from the Space Force at either one of them.”This mission leverages multiple pre-existing collaborative efforts with SSC, AFRL, and AFVentures. RS1 and GS0 were designed to perform the TacRS mission, breaking from the assumption of a pre-defined orbit, trajectory, and launch site.“We believe this challenge demonstrates the type of flexibility that will be needed to provide an enduring rapid-response launch capability in any scenario. We plan to execute the mission within the next two years,” said Piemont.
Satellite imagery from 2023-10-20 shows @ablspacesystems has an integrated RS1 rocket outside of its Port of Long Beach facility. The base of the rocket appears to be attached to a structure somewhat similar in appearance to the launch mount used for flight 1.
The Road to Flight 2, with Dan Piemont (ABL Space)
