The industry said it could not be done, and we nailed it! We’re incredibly honored to receive this year’s Allison Award from the Air & Space Forces Association for the most outstanding contribution by industrial leadership to national defense with our record-breaking VICTUS NOX Mission, supporting the @SpaceForceDoD’s Tactically Responsive Space initiatives with our partners at Millennium Space Systems!“Victus Nox proved to both Government and Industry, that (Tactically Responsive Space) can be done. It proved to our adversaries that we have the capability to do that, and it became the new standard upon which we are going to grade new providers in the future.” - Gen. Michael A. Guetlein, Vice Chief of Space Operations, United States Space Force (CSIS Tactical Space Event, Jan.2024)
At Firefly, we take vertical integration to another level. Our Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) machine not only supports Alpha and MLV, it's also building carbon composite structures for our spacecraft, including our first Elytra Dark development structure for Blue Ghost Mission 2 to the far side of the Moon. Elytra Dark will serve as the transfer vehicle for our Blue Ghost lunar lander and serve as a comms relay for 5+ years on orbit. Learn more about BGM2 here: https://fireflyspace.com/missions/blue-ghost-mission-2/
NSF's Tyler Gray (@TylerG1998) visited Firefly Aerospace's Briggs test facility in Texas and spoke to MLV's Chief Engineer, Miles Gray about the progress on the new rocket that they intend to be reusable.
https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1839735478314250650QuoteNSF's Tyler Gray (@TylerG1998) visited Firefly Aerospace's Briggs test facility in Texas and spoke to MLV's Chief Engineer, Miles Gray about the progress on the new rocket that they intend to be reusable.https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024/09/firefly-mlv-testing/
Miranda is back on the stand with a big week of testing planned!
Cedar Park, Texas, October 23, 2024 – Firefly Aerospace, an end-to-end space transportation company, today announced it was selected as a vendor for the U.S. Department of Defense’s Space Development Agency (SDA) Hybrid Acquisition for Proliferated LEO (HALO) program. Firefly is now eligible to support rapid, end-to-end demonstration missions for SDA’s military satellites utilizing Firefly’s Elytra orbital vehicles.“Firefly is honored to support the Space Development Agency’s growing military satellite constellation,” said Jason Kim, CEO at Firefly Aerospace. “We’re seeing an increasing demand for advanced in-space capabilities, including both prototype and feasibility demonstrations that support critical joint warfighter terrestrial missions with rapid and affordable commercial services. Firefly is ready to meet that demand with our robust space vehicles that utilize common components across our product lines to provide technical and schedule confidence for a diverse set of customers.” SDA’s HALO program was established to enable a fast and flexible contracting mechanism to award Tranche 2 Demonstration and Experimentation System (T2DES) missions and other demonstrations that support SDA’s military satellite constellation in low-Earth orbit. The missions include launch, on-orbit transport, and tracking services delivered within 18 months of each award to advance SDA’s national security objectives. “SDA is proud to welcome 19 vendors into the first-ever HALO pool,” said SDA Director Derek Tournear. “This creative award solution enables SDA to quickly compete, build, and fly demonstration missions to burn down risk for the future of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. We also hope, through the HALO pool, to build a broader base of vendors that can compete for work on operational layers of future tranches.”Now eligible to support SDA HALO missions, Firefly’s Elytra orbital vehicle can be launched aboard the company’s small-lift Alpha rocket, new Medium Launch Vehicle, or as part of a rideshare with a third-party launch vehicle. Firefly’s line of Elytra vehicles offers responsive on-orbit services and dynamic space operations, including last-mile satellite delivery, advanced payload hosting, edge computing, optical communications terminals, and de-orbiting services to meet customers’ urgent mission needs.Firefly’s first Elytra mission is scheduled to launch aboard Alpha in the coming months, further validating the company’s capabilities to rapidly launch, maneuver, and deploy satellites at a time and place of customers’ choosing.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Space Development Agency (SDA) today announced it has selected 19 non-traditional space companies to join the Hybrid Acquisition for Proliferated Low Earth Orbit, or HALO, pool, an acquisition approach to solicit and rapidly award protype demonstrations and experimentation to support future tranches of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.HALO is an Other Transactions (OT) agreement modeled after an indefinite-delivery-indefinite-quantity (IDIQ)- approach, where each member receives an initial agreement valued at $20,000 to defray administrative and travel expenses and is then eligible to compete for future HALO demonstration prototype orders.Future prototype orders under HALO will focus on rapid end-to-end mission demonstrations with launch of two identical satellites 12-18 months after award. The first planned prototype orders in HALO are for the Tranche 2 Demonstration and Experimentation System (T2DES) projects, which will reduce risk and demonstrate feasibility of proliferation for future tactical data links and optical communication missions.“Through HALO, SDA has an even faster and more flexible contracting mechanism in place to compete and award T2DES and other SDA demonstration projects,” said SDA Director Derek Tournear. “We believe HALO will also increase the pool of performers capable of bidding on future SDA programs, including participation in layers of future tranches.”Pool members selected include:Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Arlington, VirginiaApex Technology, Inc., Culver City, CaliforniaAST Space Mobile USA LLC, Midland, TexasAstro Digital, U.S. Inc., San Jose, CaliforniaCapella Space Corps., San FranciscoCesiumAstro Inc., Austin, TexasFirefly Aerospace, Inc., Cedar Park, TexasGeneva Technologies Inc., Monument, ColoradoImpulse Space, Inc., Redondo Beach, CaliforniaKepler Communications U.S. Inc., Wilmington, DelawareKuiper Government Solutions (KGS) LLC, Arlington, VirginiaLeoStella LLC, Tukwila, WashingtonMomentus Space, San Jose, CaliforniaMuon Space, Inc., Mountain View, CaliforniaNovaWurks Inc., Los Alamitos, CaliforniaSpace Exploration Technologies Corps. (SpaceX), Hawthorne, CaliforniaTurion Space Corp., Irvine, CaliforniaTyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, Inc., Irvine, CaliforniaYork Space Systems LLC, DenverIndustry had the opportunity to submit proposals against representative prototype orders to compete for specific flight demonstration opportunities as part of their bid for eligibility to join into the vendor pool. Only vendors in the HALO pool will be able to bid against future specific demonstration prototype orders. HALO may also increase the pool of performers capable of bidding on future SDA programs, including participation in layers of future tranches.HALO will provide opportunities for companies to gain valuable experience working with SDA on demonstration projects. Space Development Agency, Washington, DC, is the agreement activity (FA24012490030).
November 12, 2024Firefly Aerospace Closes Oversubscribed $175 Million Series D Capital Raise with New Lead InvestorAhead of its first mission the Moon, Firefly closes Series D financing in less than two monthsCedar Park, Texas, November 12, 2024 – Firefly Aerospace, the leader in end-to-end responsive space services, today announced it closed an oversubscribed $175 million Series D round at a valuation of more than $2 billion. The Series D round was led by new investor, RPM Ventures, a venture capital firm that has been investing in revolutionary, category-defining companies for more than two decades. In addition to RPM Ventures, the round included existing investors as well as multiple new investors, including GiantLeap Capital and Human Element.“Few companies can say they’ve defined a new category in their industry – Firefly is one of those,” said Marc Weiser from RPM Ventures. “They have captured their niche in the market as a full service provider for responsive space missions and have become the pinnacle of what a modern space and defense technology company looks like.”Firefly’s core business focuses on providing customers with best-in-class responsive space services across its launch, lunar, and on-orbit programs. This capability was proven during the VICTUS NOX mission where the Firefly team met the U.S. Space Force’s requirement of encapsuling and launching a payload following a 24-hour notice. Firefly set an industry record, defined a new industry category, and continues to improve that timeline with each Alpha mission.“Firefly is extremely grateful for our existing and new investors whose support demonstrates a huge vote of confidence in our capabilities and future” said Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. “Prior to joining the company, I had a unique opportunity to see behind the scenes and witness the bold mission Firefly executed flawlessly! I believe this is what has defined us in the market and continues to drive the investor demand that allowed us to move from term sheet to close in just two months – and the best is yet to come.”“This successful financing round solidifies Firefly as the undisputed leader in responsive space,” said Kirk Konert, Chairman of the Board at Firefly Aerospace. “With relentless drive, cutting-edge innovation, and unstoppable passion, this team is rewriting the rules of what’s possible. As we set our sights on 2025, we’re gearing up for a year that will redefine the industry and make history.”In addition to its responsive launch operations, Firefly stands ready to begin its inaugural Blue Ghost mission to the Moon as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Service initiative. The team is concurrently preparing for multiple Alpha launches as part of its contracted missions with Lockheed Martin, L3Harris, True Anomaly, NASA and NOAA while co-developing a Medium Launch Vehicle with Northrop Grumman. In parallel, the company is completing final preparations for its first Elytra mission, a configurable spacecraft that provides on-orbit services and a deep space communication network.Known for its highly efficient use of capital, Firefly plans to allocate the new capital to expand market reach with its Elytra spacecraft, move to full rate production of its Alpha launch vehicle, and accelerate hardware qualification for new vehicles in development.
https://fireflyspace.com/news/firefly-aerospace-closes-oversubscribed-175-million-series-d-capital-raise-with-new-lead-investor/QuoteNovember 12, 2024Firefly Aerospace Closes Oversubscribed $175 Million Series D Capital Raise with New Lead InvestorAhead of its first mission the Moon, Firefly closes Series D financing in less than two monthsCedar Park, Texas, November 12, 2024 – Firefly Aerospace, the leader in end-to-end responsive space services, today announced it closed an oversubscribed $175 million Series D round at a valuation of more than $2 billion. The Series D round was led by new investor, RPM Ventures, a venture capital firm that has been investing in revolutionary, category-defining companies for more than two decades. In addition to RPM Ventures, the round included existing investors as well as multiple new investors, including GiantLeap Capital and Human Element.“Few companies can say they’ve defined a new category in their industry – Firefly is one of those,” said Marc Weiser from RPM Ventures. “They have captured their niche in the market as a full service provider for responsive space missions and have become the pinnacle of what a modern space and defense technology company looks like.”Firefly’s core business focuses on providing customers with best-in-class responsive space services across its launch, lunar, and on-orbit programs. This capability was proven during the VICTUS NOX mission where the Firefly team met the U.S. Space Force’s requirement of encapsuling and launching a payload following a 24-hour notice. Firefly set an industry record, defined a new industry category, and continues to improve that timeline with each Alpha mission.“Firefly is extremely grateful for our existing and new investors whose support demonstrates a huge vote of confidence in our capabilities and future” said Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. “Prior to joining the company, I had a unique opportunity to see behind the scenes and witness the bold mission Firefly executed flawlessly! I believe this is what has defined us in the market and continues to drive the investor demand that allowed us to move from term sheet to close in just two months – and the best is yet to come.”“This successful financing round solidifies Firefly as the undisputed leader in responsive space,” said Kirk Konert, Chairman of the Board at Firefly Aerospace. “With relentless drive, cutting-edge innovation, and unstoppable passion, this team is rewriting the rules of what’s possible. As we set our sights on 2025, we’re gearing up for a year that will redefine the industry and make history.”In addition to its responsive launch operations, Firefly stands ready to begin its inaugural Blue Ghost mission to the Moon as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Service initiative. The team is concurrently preparing for multiple Alpha launches as part of its contracted missions with Lockheed Martin, L3Harris, True Anomaly, NASA and NOAA while co-developing a Medium Launch Vehicle with Northrop Grumman. In parallel, the company is completing final preparations for its first Elytra mission, a configurable spacecraft that provides on-orbit services and a deep space communication network.Known for its highly efficient use of capital, Firefly plans to allocate the new capital to expand market reach with its Elytra spacecraft, move to full rate production of its Alpha launch vehicle, and accelerate hardware qualification for new vehicles in development.
Quote from: jongoff on 11/15/2024 02:35 amhttps://x.com/danpiemont/status/1857257300458877197...ABL's RS 1 apparently had "over 70 launches sold" to both commercial and US government customers. Firefly Alpha seems best positioned to get that business but small payloads may go to Electron, patient customers may go to Nova, and non-government customers may go to other countries' small launchers.
https://x.com/danpiemont/status/1857257300458877197
Firefly kicked off the New Year in style with another Alpha rocket stage test! Cheers to 2025 that's revving up to be an incredible year with multiple Alpha launches, our first Blue Ghost mission to the Moon, and an on-orbit Elytra mission.
Proud to serve on the @KratosDefense team for MACH-TB 2.0. Our flight proven Alpha rocket combined with our responsive space operations are equipped to rapidly increase the hypersonic flight test capacity for Kratos and the @DeptofDefense
My guess, ABL is moving into hypersonic arena. Firefly now has 1t market all to its self.
Quote from: TrevorMonty on 11/15/2024 08:35 amMy guess, ABL is moving into hypersonic arena. Firefly now has 1t market all to its self.The end of an era.I guess what we learned from the fierce competition to develop 1-ton class small launchers is... be first to market. Which is the same thing we learned from the Electron/Virgin Orbit race... and also perfectly matches everyone's expectations for how this would play out...I'm revising my answer; I guess what we learned is that the real world is boring and predictable sometimes.
Firefly Aerospace Awarded $8.2 Million Texas Space Commission Grant to Expand Spacecraft FacilityFirefly Spacecraft FacilityFunding to boost workforce development, STEM outreach, and internship opportunities in Central TexasCedar Park, Texas, February 11, 2025 – Firefly Aerospace, the leader in end-to-end responsive space services, today announced that it has been awarded an $8.2 million grant from the Texas Space Commission (TSC) to expand its spacecraft manufacturing capabilities in Central Texas. The funding, approved during a public meeting of the TSC board of directors, will support critical infrastructure improvements, workforce training, and STEM outreach programs.“With the support of the Texas Space Commission, Firefly is expanding our spacecraft production capabilities, creating more high-skilled jobs, and strengthening our collaboration with universities to equip the next generation of aerospace innovators,” said Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. “We’re proud to continue growing here in Texas, helping to shape the future of space exploration while fostering the next generation of industry leaders.”The grant comes from the Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research Fund (SEARF), which supports the development of emerging spaceflight technologies, workforce training, and infrastructure crucial to Texas’ growing aerospace sector. Firefly’s funding will advance its spacecraft manufacturing capabilities and support its growing production of Blue Ghost lunar landers and Elytra orbital vehicles that provide full mission services from low Earth orbit to the Moon and beyond. Key investments from the funding will include the following:An additional 5,600 sq. ft. of ISO-8 cleanroom space at Firefly’s spacecraft facility in Cedar Park, TexasAdded ground support and test equipmentSpacecraft pressure proof test facility at Firefly’s Rocket Ranch in Briggs, TexasUpgraded IT infrastructure for mission operations and labsBy increasing its manufacturing capacity, Firefly plans to add 50 new jobs in engineering, quality assurance, manufacturing, and spacecraft operations. Additionally, Firefly will expand its STEM outreach and internship programs, working closely with University of Texas System schools to provide students hands-on experience in spacecraft development.The facility expansion is expected to be completed by Q4 2025, with all funding spent in Central Texas, primarily in Cedar Park and Briggs.
We’ve got the scoop! We’re proud to announce Michael Sheetz is joining as Firefly’s Director of Investor Relations. Welcome to Texas!
