Firefly Aerospace is a Texas-based private aerospace company that provides end-to-end space transportation services. It specializes in the development of small to medium-lift launch vehicles like the Alpha rocket and lunar landers such as Blue Ghost, along with on-orbit services using its Elytra space tug. Firefly works with partners like NASA and ESA, securing contracts for commercial lunar payload services and missions to the far side of the Moon. The company aims to provide affordable and reliable space access for government and commercial customers, contributing to lunar and cislunar exploration.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
After the Space Force provided final launch and orbit parameters, Firefly Aerospace had 24 hours to update the trajectory, encapsulate the payload, transport it to the pad, and stand ready to launch.
Space Systems Command encapsulated a Millennium Space-built space vehicle, mated it to Firefly’s Alpha launch vehicle, and completed all final launch preparations in 24 hours.
Firefly Aerospace successfully launched a Millennium Space small satellite on 2023-09-14.
Firefly Aerospace launched the company’s Alpha rocket and deployed the VICTUS NOX spacecraft.
Firefly Aerospace deployed the VICTUS NOX spacecraft following a 24-hour notice to complete final payload operations and mission preparations.
Firefly Aerospace was awarded an $18,000,000 NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) contract to provide radio frequency calibration services from lunar orbit as part of Blue Ghost Mission 2.
Firefly Aerospace successfully launched its Alpha rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base on 2023-09-14.
The $18,000,000 award represents Firefly Aerospace's third NASA CLPS task order award, bringing its total CLPS task order awards to nearly $230,000,000 to date for lunar payload services.
Firefly Aerospace plans its first Elytra mission in 2024.
The $18,000,000 CLPS task order for Blue Ghost Mission 2 is Firefly Aerospace’s third NASA CLPS task order, bringing the company’s CLPS task order total to nearly $230,000,000 to date for lunar payload services.
Blue Ghost Mission 2 is Firefly Aerospace’s second mission to the Moon and is planned for 2026.
Firefly Aerospace was awarded an $18,000,000 NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services contract on 2023-09-12 to provide radio frequency calibration services from lunar orbit for Blue Ghost Mission 2.
Firefly Aerospace signed a multi-launch agreement with L3Harris Technologies for three dedicated launches on Firefly’s Alpha vehicle in 2026.
Firefly Aerospace signed a multi-launch agreement with L3Harris Technologies for three dedicated Alpha launches in 2026.
Firefly Aerospace’s medium launch vehicle is planned to have its first launch in 2025.
Firefly Aerospace signed a multi-launch agreement with L3Harris Technologies for three dedicated launches on Firefly’s Alpha vehicle in 2026.
Firefly Aerospace is expanding its facilities to support development of a new medium launch vehicle projected to launch in 2025.
Firefly Aerospace signed an agreement with L3Harris Technologies on 2023-09-05 to launch three missions on Firefly’s Alpha rocket.
Firefly Aerospace and Millennium Space Systems completed multiple rehearsals that included packing and delivering a satellite mockup to Firefly's integration facility at Vandenberg Space Force Base to practice all launch operations within a prescribed 24-hour period.
Firefly Aerospace will have 24 hours after receiving the launch notice to update trajectory and guidance software, encapsulate the payload, transport it to the pad, mate it to Alpha, and stand ready to launch at the first available window.