On April 27, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) announced that MOL and its partners, Innovative Space Carrier, Inc. (ISC) and TSUNEISHI SOLUTIONS TOKYOBAY Co., Ltd. have obtained Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for the basic design of an unmanned autonomous rocket recovery vessel. Drawing on the expertise and safe navigation technologies we have cultivated in the shipping and offshore businesses, MOL will continue to advance studies toward the implementation of the offshore rocket recovery vessel.
The widespread adoption of offshore rocket recovery is expected to enable the efficient retrieval and reuse of rockets, helping accelerate space development through more frequent launches and reduced launch costs. In addition, unmanned and autonomous operations have great potential to minimize direct human involvement in onboard operations and enhance operational safety.
The AiP signifies that the overall concept of the offshore recovery system-including not only the rocket recovery vessel but also the support vessel assisting in recovery operations, as well as the onshore control system that centrally monitors and manages them-has been approved in principle for both safety and technical feasibility by ABS, an independent third-party organization.
Drawing on the expertise and safe navigation technologies it has cultivated over many years in the shipping and offshore sectors, MOL has played a key role in developing the operational concept for the offshore recovery platform and in studying offshore operations. Going forward, MOL will continue working closely with ISC and TSUNEISHI SOLUTIONS TOKYOBAY, while receiving technical advice from ABS, to further refine the design and advance studies toward implementation.