Offshore staff
HOUSTON – ABS announced the publication of the first international requirements for the design and construction of offshore spaceports on the first day of the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston.
Officials said that the move recognizes the increase in global demand for offshore spacecraft launch and recovery services.
ABS said that it produced these new requirements based on service experience with industry-leading aerospace rocket launch and recovery companies. The requirements should serve as a guide to the growing maritime aspects of the space flight industry, in the safe design and construction of offshore assets. Previously there were no industry requirements to address an offshore spaceport’s unique concept of operation.
Spaceports are marine or offshore assets that conduct spacecraft launch or recovery. The ABS Requirements for Building and Classing Offshore Spaceports addresses several vessel types including barge type units, column-stabilized, offshore installations and self-elevating units.
Miguel Hernandez, ABS Senior Vice President, Global Offshore, said: “The offshore space industry is growing rapidly, and ABS is already a pioneer in the field of offshore space support with our industry-leading work on autonomous rocket recovery droneships. This new publication allows ABS to provide clear support for organizations that are engaging with regulatory agencies to reactivate assets such as offshore support vessels, barges and liftboats to support space flight.”
For more information, visit ABS at OTC booth 2239.
05.01.2023
