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RS1
RS1 (Block 1) [ABL Space Systems] |
RS1 (Block 2) [ABL Space Systems] |
The RS1 is a small low-cost launch vehicle by ABL Space Systems.
ABL Space Systems focuses on a "Dirt Simple" design to keep the launch costs low. It requires no fixed launch infrastructure and is planned to be able to be launched from any site with an one-week call-up time. The maiden launch is planned to occur at Vandenberg. Other launch sites offered in the USA are Camden, Cape Canaveral, Kodiak, Vandenberg and Wallops Island. In the UK, the SaxaVord Space Centre on the Island of Unst is to be used.
ABL uses propulsion technology from Ursa Major Technologies. The first stage is powered by nine E2 engines, fueled by liquid oxygen (LOX) and Kerosene (RP-1 or alternatively Jet-A). Stage 2 is powered by a single restartable E2 Vacuum engine. RS1 will have a payload of 1350 kg to low earth orbit.
Lockheed Martin is a strategic investor for ABL's RS1 project.
For operations from the Shetland launch site, the Lockheed Martin consortium is planning to use a Moog built space tug called SL-OMV (Small Launch Orbital Manoeuvring Vehicle) to deploy up to six 6U-Cubesats in different orbits.
The maiden launch was planned for 2021 from Vandenberg's LC-576E, but has moved to Kodiak's LP-3C.
The launch vehicle does not require a fixed launch infrastructure, as all of these components are transportable by air lift and can be set up at any clean-pad launch site.
After the maiden flight failded, ABL decided not to launch the 2nd already built RS1 (Block 1) vehicle, but move on directly to the improved Block 2 version of the RS1 rocket. That version features upgrades such as increased thrust and more propellant, as well as design changes intended to improve production. Also a redesigned launch mount is used.
| Launch Vehicle | Stage 1 | Stage 2 |
|---|---|---|
| RS1 (Block 1) | Stg 1 / 9 × E2 | Stg 2 / E2-Vacuum |
| RS1 (Block 2) | Stg 1 / 9 × E2 | Stg 2 / E2-Vacuum |
| RS1A | Stg 1 / 9 × E2 Aerospike | - |
| Performance (kg) | LEO | LPEO | SSO | GTO | GEO | MolO | IP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RS1 (Block 1) | 1350 | 1150 | 400 | - | - | - | |
| RS1 (Block 2) | - | - | - | ||||
Nr: TNr: Vehicle: Serial: Fair: LS: Date: Payload
1 1 RS1 (Block 1) Kd LP-3C 10.01.2023 F VariSat 1A / VariSat 1B Planned: 2 1 RS1 (Block 2) Kd LP-3C xx.03.2024 VariSat 1B(2) / DORSAT 01 x x RS1 (Block 2) CC xx.xx.202x KuiperSat (multiple launches) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x Cryogenic Demonstration Mission x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (DIU) x x RS1 (Block 2) SxV xx.xx.2023 SL-OMV 1 / (multi satellite launch) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (Lockheed Martin) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (Lockheed Martin) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (Lockheed Martin) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (Lockheed Martin) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (Lockheed Martin) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (Lockheed Martin) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (Lockheed Martin) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (Lockheed Martin) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (Lockheed Martin) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (Lockheed Martin) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (Lockheed Martin) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (Lockheed Martin) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (Lockheed Martin) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (Lockheed Martin) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (Lockheed Martin) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (Lockheed Martin) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (Lockheed Martin) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (Lockheed Martin) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (Lockheed Martin) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (Lockheed Martin) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (Lockheed Martin) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (Lockheed Martin) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (Lockheed Martin) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (Lockheed Martin) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (Lockheed Martin) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (Lockheed Martin) x x RS1 (Block 2) ? xx.xx.202x (TacRS 4) Failures: 1: At T+10.87 seconds, Stage 1 suffered a complete loss of power leading to a shutdown of all engines Launch sites: Cam = Spaceport Camden, Woodbine, Georgia, USACC = Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Eastern Test Range, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA
