{"id":1624,"date":"2026-04-16T17:17:34","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T17:17:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/bae-systems-introduces-ascent-spacecraft-for-advanced-orbital-and-lunar-missions\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T17:17:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T17:17:34","slug":"bae-systems-introduces-ascent-spacecraft-for-advanced-orbital-and-lunar-missions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/bae-systems-introduces-ascent-spacecraft-for-advanced-orbital-and-lunar-missions\/","title":{"rendered":"BAE Systems Introduces Ascent Spacecraft for Advanced Orbital and Lunar Missions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: center;\" itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.satnow.com\/news\/BAE_Cover_639119268708632302.webp\" width=\"712\" height=\"377\" alt=\"BAE Systems Introduces Ascent Spacecraft for Advanced Orbital and Lunar Missions\" class=\"imageload removeImageattr\" data-original=\"https:\/\/cdn.satnow.com\/news\/BAE_Cover_639119268708632302.webp\" style=\"opacity: 0.218958;\"><meta itemprop=\"url\" content=\"https:\/\/cdn.satnow.com\/news\/BAE_Cover_639119268708632302.webp\"><meta itemprop=\"width\" content=\"712\"><meta itemprop=\"height\" content=\"377\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>BAE Systems<\/strong> has introduced the Ascent spacecraft, a new addition to the company&#8217;s Elevation spacecraft line that supports superiority and exploration missions across the space domain. Ascent spacecraft are designed to support dynamic space operations through advanced maneuverability capabilities, including refueling and high-thrust propulsion, while carrying multiple rideshare payloads. Exploration missions are supported by Ascent&#8217;s ability to transport and deploy small satellites and cargo to the moon and to host instruments and payloads in lunar and other orbits.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The addition of Ascent to our Elevation spacecraft line delivers new dynamic space operations capabilities to counter cislunar threats,&#8221; said <strong>Thai Sheridan<\/strong><strong>, vice president and general manager of Military Space for BAE Systems Space &amp; Mission Systems<\/strong>. &#8220;Ascent supports multi-mission mobility capabilities and spacecraft logistics in expanded orbital environments, featuring a highly maneuverable platform.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Ascent&#8217;s rideshare capability allows for efficient hosting of multiple payloads and deployment on a single launch vehicle to enhance mission flexibility and effectiveness. Ascent spacecraft support missions to low Earth orbit, medium Earth orbit, geostationary orbit, and beyond.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-layout related-content-also-read-box my-3\">\n<h4 class=\"mb-0\">Also Read: What is a Payload Peak Power of a Satellite Bus?<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;The ability to deploy Ascent spacecraft as a &#8216;space tug&#8217; to transport essential cargo across orbits enhances support of critical exploration and space science missions facilitating our return to the moon,&#8221; said <strong>Bonnie Patterson<\/strong><strong>, vice president and general manager of Civil Space for BAE Systems Space &amp; Mission Systems<\/strong>. &nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Overall, the Elevation spacecraft line offers a wide range of standardized, high-performing spacecraft products, including Summit and Trek platforms. Together, the three Elevation spacecraft variants meet customer demand for affordable and on-schedule delivery, backed by seven decades of expertise with space system programs.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The speed and scale of delivery with reliable Elevation spacecraft underscores our ability to meet the rising demand of the space defense industry,&#8221; said <strong>Brad Shogrin<\/strong><strong>, vice president &amp; general manager of National Space for BAE Systems Space &amp; Mission Systems<\/strong>. &#8220;The introduction of Ascent enhances our capabilities to facilitate integrated programs that bring together payload and spacecraft bus builds, while also managing ground support, operations and sustainment for our customers.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>BAE Systems is scheduled to deliver the first pathfinder spacecraft for Ascent by 2027.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>BAE Systems has introduced the Ascent spacecraft, a new addition to the company&#8217;s Elevation spacecraft line that supports superiority and exploration missions across the space domain. Ascent spacecraft are designed to support dynamic space operations through advanced maneuverability capabilities, including refueling and high-thrust propulsion, while carrying multiple rideshare payloads. Exploration missions are supported by Ascent&#8217;s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[26,25,20],"class_list":["post-1624","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-ground","tag-launch","tag-satellite"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1624"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1624"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1624\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1624"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1624"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1624"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}