{"id":2989,"date":"2026-05-22T14:43:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T14:43:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spacepreneurmag.com\/?p=2989"},"modified":"2026-05-22T14:43:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T14:43:09","slug":"bae-introduces-ascent-spacecraft-to-support-space-superiority-and-exploration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spacepreneurmag.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/22\/bae-introduces-ascent-spacecraft-to-support-space-superiority-and-exploration\/","title":{"rendered":"BAE Introduces Ascent Spacecraft to Support Space Superiority and Exploration"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">BAE Systems has introduced its Ascent spacecraft, a new addition to the company\u2019s Elevation spacecraft line that supports superiority and exploration missions across the space domain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ascent spacecraft are designed to support dynamic space operations through advanced maneuverability capabilities, including refueling and high-thrust propulsion, while carrying multiple rideshare payloads. Exploration missions are supported by Ascent\u2019s ability to transport and deploy small satellites and cargo to the moon and to host instruments and payloads in lunar and other orbits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe addition of Ascent to our Elevation spacecraft line delivers new dynamic space operations capabilities to counter cislunar threats,\u201d said Thai Sheridan, vice president and general manager of Military Space for BAE Systems Space &amp; Mission Systems. \u201cAscent supports multi-mission mobility capabilities and spacecraft logistics in expanded orbital environments, featuring a highly maneuverable platform.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ascent\u2019s rideshare capability allows for efficient hosting of multiple payloads and deployment on a single launch vehicle to enhance mission flexibility and effectiveness. Ascent spacecraft support missions to low Earth orbit, medium Earth orbit, geostationary orbit, and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe ability to deploy Ascent spacecraft as a \u2018space tug\u2019 to transport essential cargo across orbits enhances support of critical exploration and space science missions facilitating our return to the moon,\u201d said Bonnie Patterson, vice president and general manager of Civil Space for BAE Systems Space &amp; Mission Systems.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Overall, the Elevation spacecraft line offers a wide range of standardized, high-performing spacecraft products, including Summit\u2122 and Trek\u2122 platforms. Together, the three Elevation spacecraft variants meet customer demand for affordable and on-schedule delivery, backed by seven decades of expertise with space system programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe speed and scale of delivery with reliable Elevation spacecraft underscores our ability to meet the rising demand of the space defense industry,\u201d said Brad Shogrin, vice president &amp; general manager of National Space for BAE Systems Space &amp; Mission Systems. \u201cThe introduction of Ascent enhances our capabilities to facilitate integrated programs that bring together payload and spacecraft bus builds, while also managing ground support, operations and sustainment for our customers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">BAE Systems is scheduled to deliver the first pathfinder spacecraft for Ascent by 2027.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>BAE Systems has introduced its Ascent spacecraft, a new addition to the company\u2019s Elevation&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3004,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[102],"tags":[326,328,327,331,332,323,329,324,330,333,325],"class_list":["post-2989","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-space-news","tag-ariane-6-news","tag-esa-space-missions","tag-europe-launch-industry","tag-european-aerospace-news","tag-european-satellite-industry","tag-european-space-news","tag-european-space-startups","tag-military-space-europe","tag-nato-space-defence","tag-space-defence-europe","tag-space-magazines-in-europe"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.spacepreneurmag.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2989","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.spacepreneurmag.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.spacepreneurmag.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.spacepreneurmag.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.spacepreneurmag.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2989"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.spacepreneurmag.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2989\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3005,"href":"https:\/\/www.spacepreneurmag.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2989\/revisions\/3005"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.spacepreneurmag.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3004"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.spacepreneurmag.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2989"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.spacepreneurmag.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2989"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.spacepreneurmag.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2989"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}