spacetoday.net: Lockheed Martin orders up to 58 launches from ABL Space Systems

Posted: Sun, Apr 11, 2021, 11:25 AM ET (1525 GMT)
Lockheed Martin announced a contract Monday with ABL Space Systems for up to 58 launches through the end of the decade. Lockheed announced it would buy up to 26 launches of ABL's RS1 small launch vehicle through 2025, and up to 32 more from 2026 through 2029. The companies did not disclose the contract value, but ABL markets the RS1 at $12 million a launch, making the contract worth up to $696 million if all 58 launches are purchased at that list price. Lockheed Martin says it intends to use the launches to "demonstrate the spacecraft and associated payload technologies we are developing" for various customers. ABL expects to have the first RS1 rocket ready for launch this quarter, but regulatory and other environmental approvals will likely delay the launch to the third quarter.