The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has released a comprehensive guide for building and classing offshore spaceports, effective 1 May 2023. This document provides detailed requirements for the design, construction, and survey of various types of offshore spaceports, including barge-type units, column-stabilized units, offshore installations, and self-elevating units. The guide offers class notations for new constructions or existing vessels converted to offshore spaceports, specifying their intended services such as recovery and launch.
Key elements addressed in the guide include the hull structure and onboard machinery, equipment, and systems not part of the spacecraft systems. It also includes requirements for autonomous and remote control systems, dynamic positioning systems, and references several ABS Rules and Guides.
For a more detailed overview, please view the original article.