Seagate Space Corporation, St. Petersburg, Fla., announced a memorandum of understanding with Firefly Aerospace, Cedar Park, Texas, to collaborate on the development of an offshore launch platform that enables a sea-based launch capability for Firefly’s Alpha rocket.
“This collaboration marks a significant milestone in expanding responsive, resilient launch solutions for the rapidly growing space economy,” according to an April 6 statement by Seagate. The company is working with Firefly on an integrated offshore launch system for liquid-fueled orbital rockets.
Seagate Space’s Gateway Series is “the industry’s first purpose-built offshore spaceport designed specifically for launch operations,” according to Seagate, which collaborated with maritime industry leaders on Gateway’s development. The American Bureau of Shipping recently announced the Gateway system received its ABS Approval in Principle, the first to do so under their offshore spaceport guidelines.
Seagate Space also conducted precision testing using a model prototype at the MIT Sea Grant Hydrodynamics Laboratory, Cambridge, Mass., to validate key capabilities in ocean conditions that are required for safe, reliable orbital launch operations from sea.
“Partnering with Firefly to align our Gateway platform with their Alpha vehicle is a major step toward making offshore launch a practical reality for the industry,” said Sean Fortener, president and COO of Seagate Space. “We’re building a platform designed for mobility, responsiveness, and global access – key factors that complement our current launch infrastructure.”
“The Gateway Series platform represents a clean break from legacy barge conversions and repurposed vessels,” according to a summary by the company. “Designed as a modular, semi-submersible system with native Dynamic Positioned (DP) station keeping, Gateway delivers the stability and reliability required for orbital-class launch.”
“By pairing Firefly’s proven Alpha launch vehicle with Seagate Space’s agile, sea-based Gateway platform, the partnership delivers cost-effective, rapidly deployable launch solutions for critical missions, including hypersonic testing, missile defense, and commercial launches, with access to additional orbits and inclinations beyond the limits of traditional land-based launch pads.”
“Firefly is committed to advancing global responsive launch capabilities for our nation and our allies, and partnering with Seagate Space gives us an advantage in delivering resilient, deployable offshore capabilities,” said Adam Oakes, vice president of Launch at Firefly Aerospace. “Seagate’s offshore platform aligns with Firefly’s rapid-launch philosophy and allows us to access additional orbits and mission profiles previously out of reach for our government and commercial customers.”
