The agreement supports Kratos’ planned first mission from the platform in 2027, with multiple additional launches anticipated in subsequent years.
The partnership aligns Kratos’ mission of being first to market and proven record of delivering real, mission-relevant products and systems, including hypersonic test and other vehicles, rocket systems, propulsion technologies, target vehicles and launch services, with Seagate Space’s modular, mobile offshore platform infrastructure.
The Gateway series vessels are designed to provide flexible sea-based platforms to complement traditional land-based launch sites and test ranges.
The announcement coincides with Seagate Space’s execution of its first Gateway platform construction contract, advancing into physical construction and towards future operational readiness.
“Kratos’ agreement with Seagate Space creates an important new pathway for supporting our customers’ evolving launch and test requirements,” said Dave Carter, president of Kratos defence and rocket support services.
“We are focused on delivering affordable, responsive, and mission-critical solutions. Gateway has the potential to provide our customers with additional launch flexibility, expanded operating locations, and responsive access to mission-relevant test environments.”
Seagate Space’s Gateway platform is being developed as a modular and mobile offshore system to support government and commercial launch, testing and recovery missions.
Its maritime mobility can provide mission planners with added flexibility in launch geometry, range access and scheduling while reducing dependence on fixed terrestrial infrastructure.
Kratos plans to use the Gateway platform initially in support of defence-related launch and target missions.
The companies expect their collaboration to establish a foundation for expanded offshore mission operations as demand grows for hypersonic testing, ballistic-missile targets, responsive launch capabilities and other national security-relevant missions.
“From the beginning, our vision has been to make access to space as open as the ocean itself,” said Sean Fortener, president, chief operating officer and co-founder of Seagate Space.
“Partnering with Kratos and moving our first Gateway platform into construction represents a major step towards making that vision a reality.
“Kratos brings real mission requirements and decades of defence experience, and Seagate Space is bringing the maritime infrastructure to support them.
“With our first build contract signed, we are putting steel behind the vision and moving closer to delivering a capability the industry needs.”
Kratos has internally invested in rapidly developing and fielding affordable systems for demanding national security missions.
Kratos’ approach is based on the belief that affordability is a technology: designing proven, leading-edge products and systems from the outset for rapid production, operational deployment and scalable manufacturing.
“Kratos is committed to being first to market with affordable, relevant, mission-focused technology and systems that address the urgent requirements of the United States and its allies,” said Eric DeMarco, Kratos president and CEO.
“This partnership with Seagate Space supports our mission and strategy by creating an additional option for our customers to conduct critical launch and test missions.
“Sea-based launch infrastructure can provide flexibility, responsiveness and operational choice – capabilities increasingly important to national security missions.”
The companies will continue to advance Gateway through construction, integration and operational-readiness activities in preparation for Kratos’ first planned mission in 2027.
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