Firefly Aerospace

Overview Firefly Aerospace is a U.S.-based space and defense technology company that designs, builds, and operates launch vehicles, lunar landers, and on‑orbit spacecraft. Headquartered in Cedar Park, Texas, the company’s integrated “launch, land, and operate” model spans small‑lift launch (Alpha), a medium‑lift program (Eclipse/Medium Launch Vehicle), the Blue Ghost lunar lander line, and the Elytra family of orbital vehicles. Firefly’s primary manufacturing and test site (“Rocket Ranch”) is in Briggs, Texas, with launch operations at Vandenberg Space Force Base (SLC‑2) and development activities for East Coast pads at Cape Canaveral (SLC‑20) and Wallops Island (LP‑0A). Launch Services • Alpha: Two‑stage, small‑lift launch vehicle using four Reaver engines on the first stage and a single Lightning engine on the second stage (both LOX/RP‑1, tap‑off cycle). Standard performance is up to ~1,030 kg to 300‑km LEO and ~630 kg to 500‑km sun‑synchronous orbit. Alpha supports dedicated, rideshare, and responsive‑launch missions. • Mission history & responsiveness: After an initial demonstration in 2021 and an orbital flight in 2022, Firefly executed the U.S. Space Force’s tactically responsive “Victus Nox” mission in 2023 on 24‑hour notice. In April 2025, Alpha experienced a launch anomaly that resulted in loss of mission; the company implemented corrective actions and later received FAA approval to resume flights. Follow‑on launches include dedicated commercial and national‑security missions. • Launch sites: Polar and SSO launches operate from SLC‑2 at Vandenberg, California. Firefly maintains a lease at SLC‑20 on Florida’s Space Coast and is progressing plans for East Coast operations via Wallops Island’s Pad 0A. Medium‑Lift Program • Eclipse / MLV: Firefly and Northrop Grumman are co‑developing a medium‑lift vehicle that builds on Alpha’s carbon‑composite structures and tap‑off‑cycle engine architecture while incorporating heritage avionics from the Antares program and a larger 5.4‑meter fairing. First‑stage propulsion is based on Firefly’s Miranda engine class. Initial MLV operations are targeted from Wallops Island, Virginia. Lunar Systems • Blue Ghost: Firefly’s lunar lander line provides delivery and surface operations under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program and for commercial customers. Blue Ghost Mission 1 launched in January 2025 and achieved a soft landing in Mare Crisium on March 2, 2025, completing a 14‑day surface mission with ten NASA science and technology payloads. Additional missions are in development, including higher‑latitude and South Pole concepts later in the decade. In‑Space Vehicles and Services • Elytra: A family of multi‑mission orbital vehicles—Dawn, Dusk, and Dark—designed for on‑orbit mobility, hosting, logistics, domain awareness, and cislunar operations. Elytra builds on technology acquired with Spaceflight Inc. and Firefly’s earlier Space Utility Vehicle. Government missions include responsive on‑orbit demonstrations and long‑duration cislunar concepts alongside Blue Ghost landers. • Payload services: Firefly offers rideshare management, hosted payloads, on‑orbit data services, and tailored mission integration through its payload user guides and mission‑management processes. Customers and Programs • Civil space: Multiple awards under NASA’s CLPS initiative for lunar delivery and operations. • National security: U.S. Space Force tactically responsive launch (“Victus Nox”) and follow‑on rapid‑response taskings; additional DoD work for responsive on‑orbit missions using Elytra. • Commercial: Dedicated and rideshare Alpha missions for communications, Earth‑observation, and technology demonstration customers; partnerships with large primes for constellation and logistics programs. Facilities and Footprint • Headquarters: Cedar Park, Texas, with major manufacturing and test operations in Briggs (“Rocket Ranch”). • Launch infrastructure: SLC‑2 (Vandenberg, CA) for polar/SSO missions; SLC‑20 (Cape Canaveral, FL) lease for low‑inclination missions; development toward Wallops Island LP‑0A operations for the medium‑lift vehicle. • Additional presence: Integration, payload processing, and coastal manufacturing on Florida’s Space Coast; partnerships at Wallops Island for medium‑lift staging and operations.