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.
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Firefly Aerospace is developing a medium-lift rocket with Northrop Grumman that is projected to launch in 2025.
Firefly Aerospace has built development hardware and is conducting testing for the MLV propellant tank ahead of a structure critical design review planned in May.
The partnership between Firefly Aerospace and Northrop Grumman was first established in August to build an all-American version of Northrop’s Antares rocket.
Through the Tactically Responsive Space-3 mission, the U.S. Space Force is preparing to launch a Millennium-built satellite on a Firefly Aerospace rocket.
The Space Force awarded contracts in August to Millennium, a Boeing company, to produce Victus Nox and to Firefly Aerospace to launch the spacecraft.
Northrop Grumman announced a partnership with Firefly Aerospace in August 2022 to develop a new first stage for Antares.
Lunar Pathfinder, a spacecraft being built by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. for the Moonlight program, will launch in 2026 as part of a CLPS mission awarded to Firefly Aerospace on 2023-03-14.
Isar Aerospace has a 2023-01-25 agreement with Spaceflight Inc. for one dedicated Spectrum launch and an option for a second launch.
Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket failed on its first launch in September 2021 and reached orbit on its second launch a little more than a year later.
Rocket Lab successfully launched its 35th Electron rocket, deploying two multi-spectral Gen-2 satellites to low Earth orbit for BlackSky through launch services provider Spaceflight, Inc.
Rocket Lab’s next scheduled mission is a dedicated launch for Spaceflight Inc. customer BlackSky from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand during a launch window that opens in March 2023.
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. successfully launched its 35th Electron rocket from Mahia, New Zealand, deploying two multi-spectral Gen-2 satellites to low Earth orbit for BlackSky through launch services provider Spaceflight, Inc.
On 2023-03-22, Firefly Aerospace completed risk reduction testing for critical Miranda engine components.
Rocket Lab will launch a pair of satellites on a dedicated Electron mission for BlackSky through global launch services provider Spaceflight during a launch window opening 2023-03-22, UTC.
Firefly Aerospace was awarded a $112,000,000 NASA contract for payload delivery to lunar orbit and the far side of the Moon in 2026.
NASA awarded a $112,000,000 task order through its Commercial Lunar Payload Services program to Firefly Aerospace on 2023-03-14 for a 2026 mission using the Blue Ghost lander.
Firefly Aerospace’s first mission, Blue Ghost Mission 1, is on track for launch in 2024 to deliver 10 NASA-sponsored payloads and two commercial payloads to Mare Crisium on the Moon’s near side.
Firefly Aerospace will use its Blue Ghost spacecraft in a two-stage configuration to first place a satellite into lunar orbit and then deliver two research payloads on the far side of the Moon.
On 2023-03-14 Firefly Aerospace was awarded a $112,000,000 NASA contract to deliver multiple lunar payloads in 2026.
Spaceflight and LeoStella provide services and expertise that enable end-to-end support for BlackSky’s constellation, including design, manufacturing, integration, mission management, and logistics.