ABS has granted approval in principle (AIP) to Innovative Space Carrier Inc. (ISC), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), and TSUNEISHI SOLUTIONS TOKYOBAY Co., Ltd. (T-SOL) for their joint design of an unmanned autonomous offshore rocket recovery platform. In addition to the barge, the AIP covers the totality of the system required for recovery, which integrates an offshore support vessel and a land-based control station.
The innovative barge design is configured for offshore recovery operations and supports the return of reusable launch vehicles to Earth, allowing for significant cost savings. Recovery in offshore waters enhances overflight safety, while unmanned and autonomous operations significantly reduce risk to personnel involved in recovery activities. ABS completed design reviews based on class requirements featured in the ABS Requirements for Offshore Spaceports.
“ABS is proud to be at the forefront of shaping the infrastructure that makes offshore space operations possible. We are honored to collaborate with ISC, MOL, and T-SOL, bringing together expertise in offshore engineering and safety standards to support the emerging space infrastructure,” said Matthew Tremblay, ABS Senior Vice President, Global Offshore.
ABS has taken a leading role in the development of industry requirements for offshore space infrastructure. It published the world’s first requirements addressing the unique challenges of offshore spaceports in 2023 as well as a joint development project reviewing remotely controlled dynamic positioning functions of autonomous rocket recovery droneships with SpaceX.
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