Lockheed Martin is supporting a newly announced partnership between Seagate Space and Firefly Aerospace to develop a sea-based launch system centred on an offshore platform for the Alpha rocket.
The initiative builds on a memorandum of understanding signed in April between Seagate Space and Firefly Aerospace to deploy Firefly’s Alpha launch vehicle from Seagate’s Gateway offshore platform. The three companies will work together on mission concepts and flight demonstration projects aimed at expanding launch flexibility.
Johnathon Caldwell, vice president and general manager of Strategic and Missile Defense Systems at Lockheed Martin Space, said the collaboration aligns with the company’s existing expertise. It builds on Lockheed Martin’s “legacy in missile defense, targets and counter-measures,” he said.
“The collaboration further aims to accelerate the development of responsive launch solutions, delivering cutting-edge technology that supports the warfighter’s evolving operational requirements,” said Johnathon Caldwell in a LinkedIn post. “Having a capability to address the growing need for speed and flexibility to launch payloads on tactical timelines from diverse locations is key to national security,” he added.
Seagate Space said its Gateway platform is designed to support rapid deployment of launches for a range of applications, including hypersonic testing, missile defense missions, and commercial payloads. Offshore launch capability is also expected to enable access to a broader range of orbital inclinations compared with traditional land-based launch sites.
