United States restructured
ABL Space Systems
ABL Space Systems, now rebranded as Long Wall following a strategic pivot in late 2024, was an American launch vehicle developer that operated the RS1 small-lift rocket.
- Founded
- 2017
- Headquarters
- El Segundo, United States
- Stage
- Early stage
- Ownership
- Private
- Total raised
- $245M
- Last valuation
- $2.4B
- Last round
- Undisclosed round · $40.6M 2023-12
- Investors
- 3
Quick Facts
About ABL Space Systems
ABL Space Systems, now rebranded as Long Wall following a strategic pivot in late 2024, was an American launch vehicle developer that operated the RS1 small-lift rocket. After setbacks with the RS1 program, the company transitioned to defense applications focusing on missile defense systems and hypersonic flight test vehicles.
The RS1 rocket experienced its second launch attempt failure in July 2024 when a static fire test at Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska resulted in fire causing irrecoverable damage to the vehicle. The fire developed during a 13-second test of all 11 first stage engines. While brief with no injuries or infrastructure damage, the incident ended plans for a summer 2024 launch.
The maiden RS1 flight in January 2023 had failed when a fire in the aft cavity damaged key harnessing, causing engine shutdown 11 seconds into flight. The rocket crashed near the launch pad, damaging spaceport infrastructure.
Following the setbacks, ABL Space announced in November 2024 its exit from the commercial orbital launch market, pivoting to military applications leveraging existing launch vehicle and engine technology for missile defense. Long Wall lists Long Beach, El Segundo, Mojave, Camarillo and Kodiak, Alaska as operating sites. In February 2025, CEO Dan Piemont announced the rebrand to Long Wall with focus on missile defense systems and hypersonic flight test vehicles. The company's propulsion expertise continues serving defense customers.
Products and product lines
| Product | Line | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Cyclops | Exoatmospheric interceptor (missile defense) | Surface-launched, hit-to-kill exoatmospheric interceptor unveiled 15 December 2025, designed from inception for mass production; Long Wall says it can build more than 100 units a year from over 160,000 sq ft of existing manufacturing space. |
| RSX | Target / flight-test vehicle | Low-cost liquid-fueled booster used for missile-defense flight testing and threat replication, built on design iteration and subsystem testing carried over from the RS1 program. |
| Ironwood | Ground support equipment | Containerized, modular ground system providing command-and-control, power and communications for rapid global launch and test operations; deployed across four operational seasons. |
| RS1 | Launch vehicle (repurposed) | Originally a small-lift orbital launch vehicle; after two failed orbital launch attempts (2023 and 2024) it has been repositioned as a target vehicle for missile-defense and live-fire test flights rather than a commercial launcher. |
| E2 engines | Propulsion | Additively manufactured, in-house liquid rocket engines originally developed for RS1 and carried forward into the company's missile-defense test vehicles. |
Timeline
- 2024 Harry O'Hanley steps down as CEO after seven years; co-founder Dan Piemont, previously company president, becomes CEO on 27 November 2024 as ABL pivots from commercial orbital launch toward missile-defense technology. [source]
- 2025 New CEO Dan Piemont publishes a letter on 19 February 2025 formally introducing the Long Wall name and a strategy built on verticalized, containerized, mass-producible and rapidly upgradable defense systems, and confirms operations spanning Long Beach, Camarillo and Mojave, California, and Kodiak, Alaska. [source]
- 2025 ABL Space Systems completes its public rebrand to Long Wall around 19-20 February 2025 and repositions its RS1 rocket as a target vehicle for missile-defense and live-fire test flights rather than a commercial orbital launcher. [source]
- 2025 Long Wall unveils Cyclops, a mass-producible, surface-launched exoatmospheric interceptor, on 15 December 2025, citing adversary missile raid sizes that have grown into the hundreds as the rationale for designing an interceptor for high-volume production from the outset. [source]
- 2026 As of September 2026, Long Wall's own site lists active facilities in Long Beach, El Segundo and Mojave, California, and Kodiak, Alaska — indicating ongoing activity at the El Segundo and Mojave sites. [source]
Dan Piemont (CEO, Co-founder), Harry O'Hanley (Co-founder, former CEO)
Funding history
5 events · $245M raised| Date | Round | Amount | Investors | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-12-14 | Undisclosed round | $40.6M | — Form D filed 2023-12-29 by ABL Space Systems Co: $40.6M sold of a $100.0M offering (first sale 2023-12-14). | sec.gov |
| 2021-10-27 | Series B | $200M | FidelityT. Rowe PriceVenrock Series B funding for RS1 rocket | ablspacesystems.com |
| 2021-03-24 | Undisclosed round | $170.1M | — Form D filed 2021-04-05 by ABL Space Systems Co: $170.1M sold of a $170.1M offering (first sale 2021-03-24). | sec.gov |
| 2020-12-09 | Undisclosed round | $20.0M | — Form D filed 2020-12-23 by ABL Space Systems Co: $20.0M sold of a $20.0M offering (first sale 2020-12-09). | sec.gov |
| 2020-03-06 | Undisclosed round | $47.5M | — Form D filed 2020-03-23 by ABL Space Systems Co: $47.5M sold of a $49.2M offering (first sale 2020-03-06). | sec.gov |
Investors
From the sourced rounds above. Investors with two or more deals in the directory link to a portfolio page.
Team
- Dan Piemont CEO and Co-founder · source
Signals
- Verification
- Verified 2026-09-10
Categories & Capabilities
Industry Categories
Vehicle Types
Propulsion Systems
Funding
Location
Loading map...
Share
Suggest an Edit
Is this information outdated or incorrect? Help us improve this profile.
Submit CorrectionExplore More
Discover 1,000+ space companies worldwide
Similar Companies
Other companies in launch-services
Astra
Astra Space is an American launch and spacecraft-propulsion company that developed small orbital rockets with a goal of ...
Firefly Aerospace
Firefly Aerospace is an American launch and space systems company headquartered in Cedar Park, Texas, developing the Alp...
Relativity Space
Relativity Space is an aerospace manufacturer that pioneered 3D-printed rocket manufacturing and is now developing Terra...
Sierra Space
Sierra Space is a commercial space company developing the Dream Chaser spaceplane, Orbital Reef commercial space station...
Stoke Space
Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Kent, Washington, Stoke Space Technologies is a launch vehicle company focused on d...
Blue Origin
Blue Origin is a private aerospace manufacturer and spaceflight services company founded by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in...
Also in United States
Other space companies based in United States
Related Articles
Industry analysis mentioning ABL Space Systems
The Complete Guide to Space Launch Providers in 2025
Read article →
Launch Service Providers: A Comparison 2025
Read article →
Small Satellite Revolution: CubeSats and Beyond
Read article →
Space Industry Investment Trends: Where Smart Money Is Flowing
Read article →
Space Industry Market Size 2025: Revenue, Growth, and Sector Analysis
Read article →
Frequently asked about ABL Space Systems
Quick answers to the questions readers most often search for.
- When was ABL Space Systems founded?
- ABL Space Systems was founded in 2017 in United States.
- Where is ABL Space Systems headquartered?
- ABL Space Systems is headquartered in El Segundo, United States.
- What does ABL Space Systems do?
- ABL Space Systems, now rebranded as Long Wall following a strategic pivot in late 2024, was an American launch vehicle developer that operated the RS1 small-lift rocket. After setbacks with the RS1 program, the company transitioned to defense applications focusing on missile defense systems and hypersonic flight test v…
- Is ABL Space Systems a public or private company?
- ABL Space Systems is a privately held company and is not listed on any stock exchange. Its recorded status is restructured.
- What sector does ABL Space Systems operate in?
- ABL Space Systems works in launch services.
Data Accuracy Notice: Information about ABL Space Systems is compiled from publicly available sources including company websites, press releases, regulatory filings, and industry reports. Data is reviewed periodically but may not reflect the most recent developments.