The American company ABL Space Systems has signed a contract for the first launch of the RS1 launch vehicle. It may be held in the spring of this year.
According to SpaceNews, the launch vehicle development company ABL Space Systems will launch two satellites for L2 Aerospace in the spring of 2021. They will be used to test new technologies and support training activities.
The announcement of the upcoming launch comes about a week after Lockheed Martin announced it had selected ABL Space Systems to launch from the UK. It is planned to be held in 2022.
RS1 trial version
Image source: ABL Space Systems
The RS1 is a small launch vehicle capable of launching up to 1,350 kilograms of cargo into low-Earth orbit. Now the carrier is in the final stage of development. The rocket has two stages. Each of them uses an E2 engine: nine of these products are installed on the first stage and one on the second. The upper stage, we recall, was tested in October last year.
The rocket's distinctive features are its relative simplicity and low cost. According to the plans, the launch will cost $ 12 million.
