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 and Adaptive Launch Solutions have signed a multi-year Launch Services Agreement that includes four Alpha launches beginning in 2021.
HawkEye Cluster 2 is scheduled to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 no earlier than January 2021 as part of Spaceflight Inc.’s SXRS-3 rideshare mission.
HawkEye 360’s Cluster 2 satellites are scheduled to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 no earlier than January 2021 as part of Spaceflight Inc.’s SXRS-3 rideshare mission.
Orbit Fab signed an agreement with Spaceflight Inc. to launch its first operational fuel depot to orbit in 2021.
Firefly Aerospace, through its government services subsidiary Firefly Black, received a $9,800,000 VCLS 2 contract for Mission Two.
NASA awarded VCLS contracts in the original 2015 program to Firefly Space Systems, Rocket Lab, and Virgin Galactic.
Firefly Space lost its original VCLS contract in 2016 when the company filed for bankruptcy and the company’s assets were acquired and reconstituted as Firefly Aerospace in 2017.
Firefly Aerospace is completing a Space Launch Complex 2 conversion at Vandenberg Air Force Base to support the maiden Firefly Alpha launch.
The all-private development of Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha launch vehicle and the Space Launch Complex 2 conversion at Vandenberg AFB are on schedule to support the maiden Firefly Alpha launch in the first quarter of 2021.
Firefly Aerospace is completing a conversion of Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base to support Firefly Alpha operations.
On 2020-12-11, Firefly Aerospace was selected by NASA to launch Mission Two of the Venture Class Launch Service Demonstration 2 (VCLS Demo 2) contract.
Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha small launch vehicle will launch from a Vandenberg complex that was formerly used by the Delta II.
Orbit Fab reached an agreement on 2020-11-17 with Spaceflight Inc. to send its first microsatellite into orbit in 2021.
Orbit Fab signed an agreement with Spaceflight Inc. to launch the company’s first operational fuel depot to orbit.
Spaceflight Inc. announced a new version of its Sherpa tug on 2020-11-12 equipped with electric propulsion that can send smallsats to high orbits or cislunar space.
Firefly Aerospace will install the second automated assembly line at its Florida Space Coast factory and launch site at Cape Canaveral beginning in 2022.
Firefly Aerospace will install the first of two planned AFP systems in May 2021 at its manufacturing and test facility in Briggs, Texas.
Firefly Aerospace’s new automated rocket factories are expected to reduce composite materials waste by 30–50% and to increase repeatability while reducing touch labor and build times.
Firefly Aerospace will leverage AFP technology that is used to manufacture composite airframes for the Boeing 787, Airbus A350, and F-35.
Firefly Aerospace’s Florida facility at Cape Canaveral will ultimately be capable of producing an estimated 24 Alpha rockets per year.