\u201cSafety and precision are critical to the success of offshore space launch operations,\u201d said ABS senior vice president of global offshore Miguel Hernandez in a prepared statement. \u201cThis AIP reflects both ABS\u2019 and Seagate Space\u2019s commitment to advancing innovative technologies that enable reliable and efficient launch operations in a fast-evolving sector.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seagate Space was founded in early 2025. Anderson and his team faced multiple challenges designing the asset.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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An artistic conception of the Gateway-S platform.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe use case and operation we\u2019re building for is really unique and intense in some ways,\u201d he said. \u201cRockets don\u2019t weigh that much but they create a lot of force obviously. So, we had to start from a clean sheet of paper effectively.\u201d<\/p>\n
The goal was to create something that is \u201cstable\u201d and \u201csecure.\u201d Working at spARK Labs by ARK Invest has been an encouraging part of the process, Anderson continued. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe organization is not really sector focused. Its focus is on big ideas and trying to do things that are new and novel,\u201d he explained. \u201cThat fits really well with us.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Maritime and Defense Technology Hub, managed by the St. Petersburg Innovation District, is in close proximity to spARK Labs by ARK Invest. This, Anderson said, has led to a vertical forming in the area.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He believes that the Tampa Bay region has the potential to be a staging location for a Gulf launch. Seagate Space has a rocket manufacturer partner that wants to \u201cexplore\u201d a Gulf-based launch as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Anderson argued that China is ahead in sea-based platform development and that there is an opportunity to expand the industry domestically. As an example, Beijing-based private company Galactic Energy completed five maritime launches between 2023 and 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cChina is scaling this capability,\u201d he explained. \u201cWe, as a country, have not successfully developed it for the modern age and the rockets that are flying currently.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Anderson hopes to have a first demonstration launch for Gateway-S in 2027.\u00a0<\/p>\n