DENVER and EL SEGUNDO,
Calif., April 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/
-- ABL Space Systems will provide Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]
with routine launches of RS1 rockets to accelerate payload
technologies into orbit. Lockheed Martin will purchase up to
26 vehicles through 2025 and then up to 32 additional launches
through 2029. Launches could use a network of U.S. and
international launch sites, including Vandenberg Space Force Base, Cape Canaveral
Space Force Station and in the United
Kingdom.
Lockheed Martin benefits from ABL's lower-cost launch vehicle by
accelerating risk reduction with demonstration missions, which lay
the groundwork for future large efforts. As a new entrant, ABL gets
the benefit of a long term partnership and stable launch manifest
for its future growth.
"This long-term agreement with ABL solidifies our strategic
partnership for the future," said Rick
Ambrose, executive vice president at Lockheed Martin Space.
"Having this assured access to space will accelerate our ability to
demonstrate the spacecraft and associated payload technologies we
are developing to the meet the future mission needs for our
customers."
"We designed RS1 with flexibility in mind. We can serve a
wide array of missions from many different launch sites using RS1's
large payload capacity and deployable ground systems," said
Harry O'Hanley, CEO and co-founder
of ABL. "We're excited to support Lockheed Martin's launches,
providing a unique end-to-end capability to the most important U.S.
space missions."
ABL provides launch services with the RS1 launch vehicle and GS0
deployable launch system, which are both under development with
funding from the U.S. Space Force. RS1 is capable of delivering up
to 2,976 lbs (1,350 kg) to low Earth orbit. GS0 is a containerized
system operable by a small team to rapidly launch RS1 from new
sites in the U.S. and around the world.
Lockheed Martin is developing payload technologies to support a
variety of mission areas, such as earth observation, global
ubiquitous communications, climate monitoring and beyond.
"We believe that routine, dedicated access to space for small
satellites is critical to achieving U.S. and allied civil and
defense priorities," said Dan
Piemont, president and co-founder of ABL. "This major
agreement will help ABL and Lockheed Martin accelerate the
development and deployment of next-generation space systems over
the decade to come."
For additional information, visit our websites:
www.lockheedmartin.com and https://ablspacesystems.com/. For
downloadable imagery and video, visit ABL's Flickr:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ablspacesystems/
About ABL
Founded in 2017,
ABL develops low-cost launch vehicles and launch systems
for the small satellite industry. ABL is headquartered in El
Segundo, California, U.S.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin
Corporation is a global security and aerospace company that employs
approximately 114,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged
in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and
sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and
services.
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announcements and news across the corporation.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin