UK Pathfinder Launch Provider Selected
The first UK Pathfinder Launch mission will be boosted into orbit by ABL Space Systems under a contract awarded by Lockheed Martin.
“We are absolutely committed to the success of this program and the world class capability that ABL Space Systems brings will allow us to build on our long-standing partnership with the U.K. and strengthen the growth of the U.K. space sector, aligned to the U.K. Government’s prosperity and industrial strategy.”
Nik Smith, Regional Director, Lockheed Martin Space.
The UK Pathfinder Launch will lift off from Scotland in 2022. It will be the first vertical small satellite launch from U.K. soil, and will also be the first U.K. commercial launch for U.S.-based ABL Space Systems’ new RS1 rocket.
“We are absolutely committed to the success of this program and the world class capability that ABL Space Systems brings will allow us to build on our long-standing partnership with the U.K. and strengthen the growth of the U.K. space sector, aligned to the U.K. Government’s prosperity and industrial strategy,” said Nik Smith, Regional Director, Lockheed Martin Space.
ABL Space Systems’ flexible, integrated GSO launch system, and RS1 rocket, allows for a rapid and cost-effective deployment with outstanding launch performance.
“ABL Space Systems is proud to partner with Lockheed Martin on the UK Pathfinder Launch Program," said Harry O'Hanley, co-Founder and CEO of ABL Space Systems. "Our team was founded to deliver new launch capabilities, on-demand. We're thrilled at the opportunity bring our system to Shetland’s launch site and execute this ground-breaking mission with our partners.”
Lockheed Martin’s UK Pathfinder Launch supports the U.K. Space Agency’s commercial spaceflight program – Launch UK In October, the U.K. Space Agency confirmed Lockheed Martin’s plans to move its program to the Shetland Space Center and in January, planning proposals were submitted for the space launch facility in Unst.
"We want the U.K. to be the first in Europe to launch small satellites into orbit, attracting innovative businesses from all over the world, accelerating the development of new technologies and creating hundreds of high-skilled jobs across the whole of the U.K.," said Ian Annett, Deputy CEO, U.K. Space Agency. "Lockheed Martin’s selection of ABL Space Systems for their U.K. Pathfinder launch brings us one step closer to realising this ambition – putting the U.K. firmly on the map as Europe’s leading small satellite launch destination.
“In this challenging time, it’s more important than ever that we support technologies that will help create jobs and economic growth, enabling people and businesses across the country to benefit from the commercial opportunities offered by the U.K.’s growing space sector and the many firms throughout its supply chain.”
The addition of ABL Space Systems as a partner completes Lockheed Martin’s UK Pathfinder Launch program team. On launch day, ABL Space Systems’ RS1 rocket will lift off from Shetland Space Center, in Unst, Shetland, the U.K.'s most northerly island. Once in orbit, the rocket will release a small launch orbital maneuvering vehicle, an agile platform built by MOOG, in Reading, U.K., which can carry and deploy up to six 6U CubeSats, optimising orbital placement and timing for each small satellite’s respective missions.
To demonstrate the full value of this new U.K. space transportation capability, two of the CubeSats deployed will be Lockheed Martin’s own technology demonstration spacecraft.
In 2019, ABL Space Systems announced that it had received a strategic investment from Lockheed Martin Ventures to advance the launch provider’s development and test program.
(Image provided with Lockheed Martin news release)