# ABL Space Systems Redirects Attention from Commercial Launches to Missile Defense
In an unexpected development, ABL Space Systems, a 7-year-old aerospace firm that has yet to achieve a successful rocket launch, revealed a major shift in its business focus. The company, which previously sought to transform the commercial space launch sector, is now turning its attention to missile defense technologies. This change comes in the wake of a series of difficulties in its rocket launch endeavors and a swiftly changing space launch landscape.
## A Promising Beginning
Established in 2017 by Dan Piemont, ABL Space Systems originally had an ambitious vision: to develop a “ship-and-shoot” rocket system capable of launching from remote locations at a moment’s notice. The company’s objective was to offer on-demand launch services for the U.S. military as well as other commercial clients. With expertise in economics and physics, Piemont successfully secured hundreds of millions in funding, including major investments from Lockheed Martin. At its zenith, ABL was valued at $2.4 billion, and Lockheed even engaged in a block purchase of up to 58 launches of ABL’s RS1 rocket.
The RS1 rocket was engineered to transport payloads of up to 1.35 metric tons to low-Earth orbit (LEO), positioning ABL as a key contender in the small launch vehicle market. Yet, despite this promising beginning, the company encountered considerable obstacles in bringing its rocket to fruition.
## Challenges in Launch Efforts
ABL’s inaugural launch attempt of the RS1 rocket occurred in December 2023 from Kodiak, Alaska. Sadly, the mission concluded in failure when a devastating fire shortly after liftoff obliterated the rocket. A subsequent attempt, slated for July 2023, was also derailed following an explosion during a static-fire test in Alaska. These setbacks, coupled with the steep operational expenses associated with rocket development, prompted the company to reduce its workforce in August 2023.
Reflecting on the hurdles faced, Piemont recognized the substantial physical and emotional strain of the launch initiatives. “Physically demanding operations take place at all hours across numerous sites. Problems that seem impossible arise weekly and are addressed,” he remarked. Despite the difficulties, Piemont commended the successes of the RS1 program, both on an individual scale and for the company as a whole.
## An Evolving Launch Market
As ABL contended with its launch failures, the larger space launch market was experiencing significant transformations. In his declaration, Piemont hinted at the swift progress made by other industry players, though he did not directly reference SpaceX. The emergence of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, which has maintained a high frequency of successful launches, has altered the dynamics of the commercial launch landscape.
“Take a look around,” Piemont noted. “U.S. rockets are launching every few days, with flawless success. It’s revolutionary. While there remains a need for additional providers in certain market segments, those opportunities are diminishing.”
Competition within the small launch vehicle sector has been intense. Alongside ABL, competitors like Relativity Space and Firefly Aerospace have been striving to develop rockets capable of lifting payloads in the 1-ton category. However, only Firefly has consistently achieved success. Firefly’s Alpha rocket has reached orbit several times, and the company recently secured $175 million in a Series D funding round, boosting its valuation to over $2 billion. Conversely, Relativity Space, following a failed orbital attempt with its Terran 1 rocket, has shifted its focus to a medium-lift solution, the Terran R.
With the small launch vehicle market becoming ever more competitive and increasingly dominated by a handful of key players, ABL’s prospects for making a substantial impression as a commercial launch provider have significantly diminished.
## A Bold Shift to Missile Defense
In response to these challenges, ABL has opted to move away from commercial space launches and concentrate on missile defense technologies. This transformation coincides with the rising demand for missile defense systems, especially following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. U.S. defense expenditure on missile production and associated technologies has surged, presenting a lucrative opportunity for firms like ABL.
“We have decided to redirect our efforts towards national defense, specifically focusing on missile defense technologies,” Piemont declared. He suggested that the company would utilize its existing technologies, including the RS1 rocket, GS0 ground systems, and the E2 engine, to craft new missile defense solutions.
Though ABL has not yet disclosed specific information about its forthcoming strategy, Piemont expressed optimism about the company’s capacity to make a significant contribution to national defense. “We’ll have more updates soon regarding our roadmap and progress in this area,” he stated.
## Conclusion
ABL Space Systems’ choice to transition from commercial space launches to missile defense signifies a momentous change in the company’s direction. After encountering numerous setbacks
