ABL Space Systems

Based in California, ABL Space Systems develops low-cost launch vehicles and launch systems for small satellites. The company already has several facilities that can carry out end-to-end production, including 3D printing, precise machining, shaping, and welding. The RS1, which is ABL's flagship vehicle, has a maximum capacity of 1,350kg to low Earth orbit (LEO) and carries a price tag of USD 12 million per launch. RS1 is claimed to be small enough to ease development, production, and operations while being large enough to give a per-satellite launch cost that is a tenth of that of a smaller vehicle costing USD 8,888 per Kg to 200Km LEO. In January 2023 , the company performed the maiden launch of its RS1 rocket, which failed shortly after lift off due to an anomaly.

In July 2024, ABL Space Systems’ second RS1 rocket was damaged after a pre-flight static fire test and the rocket’s launch was postponed. Following this in September 2024, the company downsized its workforce citing its consecutive rocket failures as the reason.

Key customers and partnerships

As of October 2021, the company had secured contracts with 14 clients across segments such as commercial, defense, intelligence, and science, totaling over 75 launches.

In February 2021, Lockheed Martin selected ABL Space Systems as the launch services provider for Lockheed’s UK Pathfinder Launch 2022 project. ABL Space Systems partnered with Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in April 2022 and the US Space Force in September 2023 to demonstrate the RS1’s launch and payload capabilities.

In June 2024, the company signed a launch services agreement with Scout Space to deliver Scout’s Owlet-01 satellite as the primary payload on the third RS1 flight. Further, in June 2024, ABL Space partnered with the Oman spaceport provider, Etlaq, to launch its RS1 from the Gulf region.