M.V. Once in a Lifetime
A 180-foot ship fitted as a commercial launch pad and missile test range vessel, with a blast-reinforced flight deck.
Why it matters
US land launch ranges are crowded. A ship can sail to open water and host rocket or missile tests without waiting for a slot on the coast.
How the technology works
The vessel has an 80 by 36 foot blast-reinforced deck, a crane for handling vehicles, berths for ten customer staff and satellite communications. It carries rockets offshore, launches them and supports tracking.
Sources
Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction