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.
Firefly Aerospace will use the NVIDIA Jetson module and SciTec-enabled AI software to process Ocula data onboard Elytra and autonomously transmit the results back to Earth.
Firefly Aerospace’s Ocula service will be activated onboard Elytra as part of Blue Ghost Mission 2, which is targeted to launch no earlier than late 2026.
Firefly Aerospace’s onboard processing approach is intended to mitigate downlink constraints from the Moon.
Firefly Aerospace and NVIDIA are collaborating to enable rapid on-orbit processing in lunar orbit for Firefly’s Ocula Moon imaging service.
Firefly Aerospace is on contract to deploy two additional Elytra vehicles to lunar orbit as part of Blue Ghost Mission 3 and Mission 4.
An NVIDIA Jetson module was embedded on high-resolution Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory telescopes and delivered to Firefly’s spacecraft facility for integration on Elytra.
Firefly Aerospace’s AI algorithms and data fusion technologies have already been proven in critical national security missions in Earth orbit.
Firefly Aerospace’s AI-powered software will enable advanced space domain awareness in lunar orbit.
Firefly Aerospace tied the expanded credit facility to growth of its Cedar Park, Texas production facilities and development of the Elytra orbital transfer vehicle.
Firefly Aerospace builds lunar landers in addition to operating launch services.
Firefly Aerospace was the first commercial entity to achieve a fully successful landing on the lunar surface.
Firefly Aerospace increased lender commitments under its senior secured revolving credit facility by $45 million to a total of $305 million on April 2, 2026.
Firefly Aerospace confirmed on April 8, 2026 that assembly and environmental testing are accelerating for Blue Ghost Mission 2.
The Elytra vehicle is expected to remain in orbit for five years to provide Firefly Aerospace’s Ocula lunar imaging service.
Firefly Aerospace acquired SciTec, Inc. in November and is expanding into software and on-orbit processing.
SSC Space is working with Firefly Aerospace to prepare Launch Complex 3C at Esrange.
The first LightPort will fly on Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Mission 2 lander as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative.
Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Mission 1, awarded in 2021, was valued at $93.3 million for 10 NASA payloads.
Blue Ghost Mission 1 completed Firefly Aerospace’s first fully successful commercial Moon landing last year.
Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket is a light launch vehicle used for missions to Earth orbit and small satellites.