ABL Space Shifts Focus from Launch Vehicles to Missile Defense

The company cites diminishing launch opportunities and geopolitical tensions as reasons for its strategic pivot.

ABL Space Systems has announced its exit from the commercial launch market to concentrate on missile defense technologies for the Pentagon.
Despite raising $461 million, ABL faced significant setbacks with its RS1 rocket, including two failed launches in 2023 and 2024.
The pivot is driven by reduced opportunities in the maturing launch market and the potential for growth in U.S. defense spending on missile technologies.
ABL plans to repurpose its RS1 rocket for military applications, leveraging its modular design for rapid deployment in defense scenarios.
The U.S. Department of Defense's fiscal year 2025 budget allocates $13.5 billion for missile defense, presenting a lucrative opportunity for ABL.