Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has signed a long-term agreement with Seagate Space to use the Florida company’s first Gateway offshore launch platform. The deal, announced November 10, 2026, in San Diego, targets a first Kratos mission from the sea-based platform in 2027, with multiple further launches expected in each following year.
The agreement adds to the growing interest in maritime alternatives to fixed, land-based launch sites and test ranges. Seagate Space describes Gateway as a modular, mobile offshore system for government and commercial launch, testing and recovery missions. The company says its mobility gives mission planners more flexibility in launch geometry, range access and scheduling, and lessens reliance on fixed terrestrial infrastructure.
Construction contract signed
The announcement coincided with Seagate Space executing its first construction contract for a Gateway platform. That moves the project from design into physical construction, though the companies have not described the platform as operational. They said they will continue work on construction, integration and operational readiness ahead of Kratos’ planned 2027 mission.
Seagate Space co-founder, president and chief operating officer Sean Fortener said the signed build contract and the Kratos partnership are a significant step toward the company’s goal of opening access to space through the ocean. He said Kratos contributes defined mission requirements and decades of defense experience, while Seagate Space supplies the maritime infrastructure.
Defense focus
Kratos intends to use Gateway first for defense-related launch and target missions. The companies expect the collaboration to lay groundwork for broader offshore operations as demand grows for hypersonic testing, ballistic-missile targets, responsive launch and other national security missions.
Kratos brings hypersonic test vehicles, rocket systems, propulsion technologies, target vehicles and launch services to the arrangement. Dave Carter, president of Kratos Defense & Rocket Support Services, said the agreement offers a new route to meet customers’ changing launch and test needs. He said Gateway could provide added launch flexibility, more operating locations and responsive access to relevant test environments.
Kratos President and CEO Eric DeMarco framed the deal as part of the company’s strategy of offering affordable, mission-focused technologies to the United States and its allies. He said sea-based launch infrastructure gives customers flexibility, responsiveness and operational choice, qualities he described as increasingly important for national security missions.
About the companies
Kratos, listed on NASDAQ as KTOS, serves defense, national security and commercial markets and funds much of its own research, development and capital investment. It says it treats affordability as a technology, designing systems from the start for rapid production, deployment and scalable manufacturing.
Seagate Space, headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, is a member company of spARK Labs by ARK Invest. It focuses on offshore launch, recovery and emerging logistics needs, and designs offshore launch assets meant to operate without the constraints of traditional land-based ranges.
Source: spacenews.com
