Firefly Aerospace#Blue Ghost

Firefly Space Systems began as a startup in January 2014{{Cite news|last1=Aron|first1=Jacob|date=July 8, 2014|title=Next generation of space cowboys get ready to fly|publisher=New Scientist|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn25861-next-generation-of-space-cowboys-get-ready-to-fly.html#.U9fLOuNdVuQ|access-date=October 5, 2014|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112023937/https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn25861-next-generation-of-space-cowboys-get-ready-to-fly/?ignored=irrelevant#.U9fLOuNdVuQ|url-status=live}} by Tom Markusic, P.J. King, Michael Blum,{{Cite web|last=Spacevidcast (now TMRO – see new channel)|date=August 24, 2014|title=Firefly Space – 7.26|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbntJeYQvqg|via=YouTube|access-date=January 10, 2015|archive-date=October 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009013324/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbntJeYQvqg|url-status=live}} and a small group of entrepreneurs who self-funded the company. In November 2014, Firefly moved its headquarters from Hawthorne, California to Austin-suburb Cedar Park, Texas.{{Cite news|date=September 14, 2014|title=Hawthorne-based rocket company to move to Texas|publisher=Daily Breeze|url=http://www.dailybreeze.com/business/20140911/hawthorne-based-rocket-company-to-move-to-texas|access-date=December 3, 2014|archive-date=October 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141003014050/http://www.dailybreeze.com/business/20140911/hawthorne-based-rocket-company-to-move-to-texas|url-status=live}} It grew to 43 employees by November 2014, and purchased {{Cvt|215|acre}} of land for an engine test and manufacturing{{Cite AV media|url=http://www.theorbitalmechanics.com/show-notes/fireflyss|title=Episode 15: DOWNLINK—Firefly Space Systems — Interview|date=June 23, 2015|publisher=The Orbital Mechanics|at=39:00|access-date=June 24, 2015}} facility in Briggs, Texas, {{Cvt|50|miles}} north of Austin.{{Cite news|last1=Morring|first1=Frank Jr. |date=August 25, 2014|title=SpaceX Alum Goes After Falcon 1 Market With Firefly|publisher=Aviation Week|url=http://aviationweek.com/space/spacex-alum-goes-after-falcon-1-market-firefly|url-status=live|access-date=October 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021015631/http://aviationweek.com/space/spacex-alum-goes-after-falcon-1-market-firefly|archive-date=October 21, 2014}}

In 2014, Firefly purchased fiber-winding equipment for manufacturing composite cryotanks that would be built using an out-of-autoclave process. Prototype tanks were tested at Marshall Space Flight Center of NASA in mid-2014.

The Firefly Alpha design was revealed in July 2014. Firefly's objective was to be cash-flow-positive by 2018, based on anticipated small-satellite business. Firefly had signed an agreement with Space Florida to launch from the Florida "Space Coast".

Firefly performed its first hot-fire engine test of the "Firefly Rocket Engine Research 1" (FRE-R1) on September 10, 2015.[http://www.fireflyspace.com/news/ournews/first-rocket-engine-test-a-success-for-firefly-space-systems First Rocket Engine Test a Success for Firefly Space Systems] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026081031/http://www.fireflyspace.com/news/ournews/first-rocket-engine-test-a-success-for-firefly-space-systems|date=October 26, 2016}}, press release, September 10, 2015, accessed December 17, 2015{{Cite news|last1=Wall|first1=Mike|date=September 10, 2015|title=New Firefly Rocket Engine Passes Big Test, Will Launch Small Satellites|publisher=SPACE.com|url=http://www.space.com/30508-firefly-rocket-engine-test-photo.html|access-date=January 8, 2016|archive-date=January 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105004130/http://www.space.com/30508-firefly-rocket-engine-test-photo.html|url-status=live}} The initial demonstration launch of the Firefly Alpha was planned to be as early as 2016.[http://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2015/10/14/ksc-awards-help-develop-small-satellite-launchers/73916514/ New Alpha rocket will launch test flights from KSC] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509012209/https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2015/10/15/ksc-awards-help-develop-small-satellite-launchers/73916514/ |date=May 9, 2022 }} Florida Today, October 15, 2015, accessed December 17, 2015

In December 2014, Tom Markusic's former employer Virgin Galactic alleged he had illegally provided Virgin intellectual property to the Alpha development team. Virgin also alleged that Markusic had "destroyed storage devices, disposed of computers, and reformatted hard drives to cover the tracks of his misappropriation of Virgin Galactic information".{{Cite news|last=Messier|first=Doug|date=January 12, 2016|title=Former Propulsion Chief Accuses Virgin Galactic of Lying About SpaceShipTwo's Safety, Performance|publisher=Parabolic Arc|url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2016/01/12/propulsion-chief-accuses-virgin-galactic-lying-spaceshiptwos-safety-performance/|access-date=May 13, 2019|archive-date=May 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511025809/http://www.parabolicarc.com/2016/01/12/propulsion-chief-accuses-virgin-galactic-lying-spaceshiptwos-safety-performance/|url-status=live}} In August 2016, an independent arbitrator confirmed that Markusic had destroyed evidence. Thereafter, a major European investor backed down, leaving Firefly without sufficient money to proceed. The company furloughed its entire staff in October 2016. According to Markusic, the investor's drawback was not related to the litigation but to Brexit.{{Cite news|last=Foust|first=Jeff|date=October 3, 2016|title=Firefly Space Systems furloughs staff after investor backs out|publisher=SpaceNews|url=http://spacenews.com/firefly-space-systems-furloughs-staff-after-investor-backs-out/|access-date=October 3, 2016|archive-date=August 18, 2017|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20170818134051/http://spacenews.com/firefly%2Dspace%2Dsystems%2Dfurloughs%2Dstaff%2Dafter%2Dinvestor%2Dbacks%2Dout/|url-status=live}} Within the same month, Virgin Orbit filed suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court against Firefly and two of its officers.{{Cite news|last=Messier|first=Doug|date=October 25, 2016|title=Virgin Galactic Sues Firefly, Officers for Alleged Misappropriation of Trade Secrets|publisher=Parabolic Arc|url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2016/10/25/virgin-galactic-sues-firefly-officers-alleged-misappropriation-trade-secrets/|access-date=May 13, 2019|archive-date=May 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513213054/http://www.parabolicarc.com/2016/10/25/virgin-galactic-sues-firefly-officers-alleged-misappropriation-trade-secrets/|url-status=live}} By December 1, 2016, Firefly Space Systems had permanently ceased engineering work.

In March 2017, it was announced that "virtually all" of the assets of Firefly would be sold at auction, organized by EOS Launcher, Inc., who had previously bought a US$1 million promissory note issued by Firefly to Space Florida and induced a foreclosure.{{Cite news|date=March 15, 2017|title=Firefly Space Systems assets to be sold|publisher=SpaceNews|url=http://spacenews.com/firefly-space-systems-assets-to-be-sold/|access-date=March 15, 2017|archive-date=December 16, 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20181216032000/https://spacenews.com/firefly-space-systems-assets-to-be-sold/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Messier|first=Doug|date=June 5, 2017|title=Celebrate Independence Day by Buying a Rocket Test Facility|publisher=Parabolic Arc|url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2017/06/05/celebrate-independence-day-buying-rocket-test-facility/|access-date=May 13, 2019|archive-date=May 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512094810/http://www.parabolicarc.com/2017/06/05/celebrate-independence-day-buying-rocket-test-facility/|url-status=live}}

After going bankrupt and being liquidated in March 2017, the company was re-created as Firefly Aerospace by Noosphere Ventures,{{Cite web|title=Max Polyakov {{!}} Noosphere Ventures|url=https://noosphereventures.com/max-polyakov/|access-date=July 12, 2020|website=noosphereventures.com|date=June 30, 2020|archive-date=July 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712110519/https://noosphereventures.com/max-polyakov/|url-status=live}} who bought out the assets of former Firefly Space Systems. The owner of Noosphere Ventures, Max Polyakov,{{Cite web|title=Max Polyakov {{!}} maxpolyakov.space|url=https://maxpolyakov.space/|access-date=July 12, 2020|website=maxpolyakov.space|archive-date=March 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311191032/https://maxpolyakov.space/|url-status=live}} committed to fully fund Firefly through at least its first two launches.{{Cite web|last1=Berger|first1=Eric|date=February 11, 2019|title=After a remarkable resurrection, Firefly may reach space in 2019|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/02/firefly-returns-from-the-dead-with-a-larger-rocket-and-lunar-aspirations/|access-date=February 11, 2019|publisher=Ars Technica|archive-date=February 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190211130346/https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/02/firefly-returns-from-the-dead-with-a-larger-rocket-and-lunar-aspirations/|url-status=live}} The plans for engine development were significantly altered by the new management, and the revised Alpha vehicle design featured a pump-fed engine{{failed verification|date=September 2021}} and removed the aerospike configuration. The reorganization initially delayed development by approximately a year, with the first launch expected, {{as of|2017|lc=y}}, in 2019.{{Cite web|date=November 3, 2017|title=The Major Airspace News Of 2017, Including Max Polyakov's Firefly Aerospace|url=https://mightygadget.co.uk/major-airspace-news-2017-including-max-polyakovs-firefly-aerospace/|access-date=May 22, 2021|publisher=Mighty Gadget|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201035939/https://mightygadget.co.uk/major-airspace-news-2017-including-max-polyakovs-firefly-aerospace/|url-status=live}}File:Firefly Aerospace Ukraine.jpg Petro Poroshenko at the opening of a Ukrainian branch]]

On May 17, 2018, Firefly Aerospace opened a Research and development (R&D) center in the city of Dnipro, Ukraine.{{Cite web |date=May 29, 2018 |title=Max Polyakov's Firefly Aerospace opens R&D center in Dnipro City, Ukraine |url=https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/press-releases/max-polyakovs-firefly-aerospace-opens-rd-center-in-dnipro-city-ukraine/ |access-date=March 9, 2022 |website=SpaceFlight Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=May 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507112018/https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/press-releases/max-polyakovs-firefly-aerospace-opens-rd-center-in-dnipro-city-ukraine/ |url-status=live }} The Firefly R&D center was announced to become, over time, a place of work for more than 150 employees, and is equipped with the largest 3D-printer in Ukraine, intended for industrial manufacturing of high-quality metal parts.{{Cite web|title=Firefly Aerospace Opens Research and Development Center in Dnipro, Ukraine – Firefly Aerospace|url=https://firefly.com/firefly-aerospace-opens-research-and-development-center-in-dnipro-ukraine/|access-date=August 18, 2019|archive-date=August 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818092318/https://firefly.com/firefly-aerospace-opens-research-and-development-center-in-dnipro-ukraine/|url-status=dead}}

On October 10, 2018, Firefly Aerospace and smallsat developer York Space Systems announced a partnership to offer customers a combined package of satellite and launch services.{{cite news|url=https://spacenews.com/firefly-aerospace-and-york-space-systems-partner-to-provide-integrated-satellite-solutions/ |title=Firefly Aerospace and York Space Systems partner to provide integrated satellite solutions |first=Jeff |last=Foust|publisher=SpaceNews|date=October 10, 2018|access-date=January 22, 2023}}

In November 2018, it was announced that NASA selected Firefly Aerospace as one of nine companies able to bid for Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS),{{Cite web|last=Daines|first=Gary|date=November 29, 2018|title=Firefly Aerospace Concept for Launch Vehicle with Moon Lander|url=http://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/firefly-aerospace-concept-for-launch-vehicle-with-moon-lander|access-date=January 29, 2019|publisher=NASA|archive-date=May 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518141618/http://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/firefly-aerospace-concept-for-launch-vehicle-with-moon-lander|url-status=live}} {{PD-notice}} where the company would propose a robotic lunar lander called Firefly Genesis.

In February 2019, the company announced that it would develop manufacturing facilities and a launch site at Cape Canaveral.{{Cite web|last1=Berger|first1=Eric|date=February 22, 2019|title=Firefly planning a major rocket assembly and launch facility in Florida|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/02/firefly-planning-a-major-rocket-assembly-and-launch-facility-in-florida/|publisher=Ars Technica|access-date=February 22, 2019|archive-date=February 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222154923/https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/02/firefly-planning-a-major-rocket-assembly-and-launch-facility-in-florida/|url-status=live}} They have leased a private launch pad in Florida — the former Space Launch Complex 20 (SLC-20) which had been used by the U.S. Air Force in the 1950s through 1996 — from the U.S. government and they also have a similar lease arrangement on the U.S. West Coast.

In December 2019, a group of primary shareholders of Firefly Space Systems filed a lawsuit alleging fraud and intentional bankruptcy of the company by Tom Markusic. According to the defendants, including Polyakov, the lawsuit was provocative and the plaintiffs' claims unfounded, three years after the updated Firefly Aerospace was a significant success. The lawsuit is pending.{{Cite web |url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2019/12/17/original-firefly-shareholders-sue-fireflys-markusic-polyakov-alleging-fraud/ |title=Original Firefly Shareholders Sue Firefly's Markusic, Polyakov Alleging Fraud |work=Parabolic Arc |date=December 18, 2019 |access-date=January 1, 2022 |archive-date=June 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607112442/http://parabolicarc.com/2019/12/17/original-firefly-shareholders-sue-fireflys-markusic-polyakov-alleging-fraud/ |url-status=live |last1=Messier |first1=Doug }}

In February 2021, NASA awarded approximately US$93.3 million to Firefly Aerospace to develop exploration technologies for Artemis Commercial Moon Delivery in 2023.{{Cite press release |url=https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-selects-firefly-aerospace-for-artemis-commercial-moon-delivery-in-2023 |title=NASA Selects Firefly Aerospace for Artemis Commercial Moon Delivery in 2023 |publisher=NASA |date=February 4, 2021 |access-date=March 5, 2021 |archive-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204211114/https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-selects-firefly-aerospace-for-artemis-commercial-moon-delivery-in-2023 |url-status=live}} {{PD-notice}}

The company completed its $75 million Series A investment round in May 2021, which was led by DADA Holdings.{{Cite web|date=May 5, 2021|title=Firefly Completes Oversubscribed $75M Series A and $100M Secondary Transaction|url=https://firefly.com/firefly-completes-oversubscribed-75m-series-a-and-100m-secondary-transaction/|access-date=October 15, 2021|website=Firefly Aerospace|language=en-US|archive-date=May 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518171634/https://firefly.com/firefly-completes-oversubscribed-75m-series-a-and-100m-secondary-transaction/|url-status=live}}

Firefly launched its first test flight on September 3, 2021. The Firefly Alpha rocket experienced an anomaly during ascent, and the Range terminated the flight using the explosive Flight Termination System (FTS).{{Cite news|title=Firefly Alpha explodes during first launch|url=https://firefly.com/firefly-aerospace-conducts-first-test-launch-of-alpha-launch-vehicle/|access-date=October 15, 2021|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019033344/https://firefly.com/firefly-aerospace-conducts-first-test-launch-of-alpha-launch-vehicle/|url-status=live}}

In late November 2021, Maxim Polyakov received a letter from the US Committee on Foreign Investment (CFIUS) asking Polyakov and his investment firm Noosphere Venture Partners to sell a stake in Firefly (nearly 50%) for national security reasons. Polyakov denied the threat to US national security, but agreed to comply. Noosphere Ventures has announced that it will hire an investment banking firm to sell. Even before the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the future of the Firefly R&D center in Ukraine was uncertain; after the invasion started, the Dnipro factory was bombed and many of the Ukrainian engineers either joined the army or fled the country.{{Cite web|first=Ashlee|last=Vance |author-link=Ashlee Vance |date=December 29, 2021|title=U.S. Seeks to Oust Ukrainian Owner of Texas Rocket Startup Firefly|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-29/firefly-owner-max-polyakov-to-sell-stake-in-rocket-startup|publisher=Bloomberg|access-date=January 1, 2022|archive-date=January 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102165740/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-29/firefly-owner-max-polyakov-to-sell-stake-in-rocket-startup|url-status=live}}{{Cite book |last=Vance |first=Ashlee |title=When the Heavens Went on Sale |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2023 |isbn=978-0-06-299887-3 |pages=485–486 |language=en-US}}

The government did not give reasons beyond Polyakov was Ukrainian and Ukraine and Russia had once worked together on rockets. Despite Polyakov's anger, he agreed, and on February 24, 2022, it was announced that Polyakov and his company Noosphere would sell their stake in Firefly to AE Industrial Partners.{{Cite web|first=Jeff|last=Foust|work=Space News|url = https://spacenews.com/ae-industrial-partners-to-acquire-stake-in-firefly-from-noosphere/|title = AE Industrial Partners to acquire stake in Firefly from Noosphere|date = February 24, 2022|access-date = March 12, 2022}}

In August 2022, Northrop Grumman announced that it had contracted Firefly Aerospace to build the Antares rocket's new 300-series' first stage, which is similar to Firefly's in-development MLV launch vehicle, and features the same composite structures as well as seven Miranda engines producing {{Cvt|7200|kN|lbf}} of thrust — substantially greater than the previous 200-series first stage. Northrop Grumman states that the new first stage substantially increases the mass capability of Antares.

On October 1, 2022, Firefly launched the Alpha rocket on its second test flight “To the Black” from Space Launch Complex 2 from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Alpha completed all objectives (that Firefly had itself placed) for the mission, becoming the first orbital rocket to be powered by a tap-off cycle engine. The mission was the first partially successful orbital launch for Alpha, carrying educational payloads. Alpha deployed 7 satellites, however, due to the lower than intended final deployment orbit, most of the satellites re-entered approximately a week after launch.

On September 14, 2023, Firefly successfully launched the Alpha rocket on its first mission for the United States Department of Defense, placing a spacecraft for Millenium Space into orbit and demonstrating rapid response launch for the United States Armed Forces.{{Cite web |last=Berger |first=Eric |date=2023-09-15 |title=The US military just proved it can get satellites into space super fast |url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/09/firefly-and-space-force-demonstrate-ability-to-rapidly-launch-a-satellite/ |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}}

In 2024, it was announced that Firefly would compete with the likes of Rocket Lab and SpaceX for small satellite launch contracts with the United States Department of Defense.{{cite web | url=https://payloadspace.com/firefly-aerospace-tapped-to-compete-for-us-spy-sat-launches/ | title=Firefly Aerospace Tapped to Compete for US Spy Sat Launches | date=January 26, 2024 }}

In July 2024, CEO Bill Weber resigned amid reports the company was investigating an alleged inappropriate relationship. Peter Schumacher, a board member, served as interim CEO while the company searched for a new CEO.{{cite news |last1=Foust |first1=Jeff |title=Firefly CEO leaves company |url=https://spacenews.com/firefly-ceo-leaves-company/ |access-date=22 July 2024 |work=SpaceNews |date=18 July 2024}} On August 29, 2024, it was announced that the next CEO would be Jason Kim who served in the role at Millennium Space.{{Cite web |last=Erwin |first=Sandra |date=2024-08-29 |title=Firefly names space industry veteran Jason Kim as new CEO |url=https://spacenews.com/firefly-aerospace-names-space-industry-veteran-jason-kim-as-new-ceo/ |access-date=2024-12-10 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}

{{main|Firefly Alpha}}

File:Firefly Alpha 1st Flight.jpg

The Alpha vehicle developed by Firefly Aerospace is an expendable launch vehicle capable of lifting {{Cvt|1030|kg}} to low Earth orbit and {{Cvt|630|kg}} to Sun-synchronous orbit. Firefly's advertised launch price is US$15 million. Alpha is designed to compete with vehicles like Rocket Lab's Electron, ISRO's PSLV, ABL SS's RS1, and Northrop Grumman's Pegasus. It uses four Reaver engines on its first stage and one Lightning engine on its second, with a lightweight carbon composite structure to reduce dry mass, resulting in an improved payload fraction.{{Cite web|url=https://firefly.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Alpha-PUG-3.1.pdf|title=Alpha Payload User's Guide|date=April 2022|website=fireflyspace.com|access-date=January 22, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407072107/https://firefly.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Alpha-PUG-3.1.pdf|url-status=dead}}

Alpha performed its first partially successful orbital launch on October 1, 2022, after an unsuccessful first attempt on September 3, 2021.{{cite web |last=Sesnic |first=Trevor |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/09/firefly-to-the-black/ |title=Firefly success with second Alpha flight |work=NASASpaceFlight |date=1 October 2022 |access-date=1 October 2022}} The first fully successful launch of Alpha took place on September 15, 2023. Firefly launched this mission 27 hours after receiving notice to launch, setting a new national security mission responsive-launch record.{{Cite web |date=September 15, 2023 |title=New record! Firefly Aerospace launches Space Force mission 27 hours after receiving order |url=https://www.space.com/firefly-aerospace-rapid-launch-space-force-success |access-date=December 6, 2023 |website=space.com}} The previous responsive-launch record was 21 days in June 2021.{{Cite web |date=June 13, 2021 |title=Pegasus XL rocket launches secretive 'space domain awareness' satellite for US Space Force |url=https://www.space.com/space-force-tacrl-2-satellite-launches-on-northrop-grumman-pegasus-rocket |access-date=December 6, 2023 |website=space.com}} Firefly's fourth launch on December 22, 2023 was also partially successful, with the second stage failing to perform its circularization burn, leaving its payload in an elliptical orbit instead.{{Cite web |title=Fly the Lightning |url=https://fireflyspace.com/missions/fly-the-lightning/ |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=Firefly Aerospace |language=en-US}}

{{main|Medium Launch Vehicle}}

Firefly previously pursued a medium-lift launch vehicle design known as Firefly Beta, which consisted of three Alpha cores strapped together.{{Cite news|last1=Clark|first1=Stephen|title=Firefly's commercial satellite launcher to use Delta 2 pad at Vandenberg|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/05/02/fireflys-commercial-satellite-launcher-to-use-delta-2-pad-at-vandenberg/|access-date=May 3, 2018|publisher=Spaceflight Now|date=May 2, 2018|archive-date=November 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126120626/https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/05/02/fireflys-commercial-satellite-launcher-to-use-delta-2-pad-at-vandenberg/|url-status=live}} In October 2019, Firefly announced a partnership with Aerojet Rocketdyne to develop a single core rocket potentially powered by the Aerojet Rocketdyne AR1 engine.{{Cite news|last1=Clark|first1=Stephen|title=Aerojet Rocketdyne, Firefly to collaborate on propulsion|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/10/28/aerojet-rocketdyne-firefly-to-collaborate-on-propulsion/|access-date=October 28, 2019|publisher=Spaceflight Now|date=October 28, 2019|archive-date=October 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029234830/https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/10/28/aerojet-rocketdyne-firefly-to-collaborate-on-propulsion/|url-status=live}} In 2020, the Beta was redesigned to be a scaled up Alpha. The first stage would be {{Cvt|3.7|m}} in diameter with 5 Reaver 2 engines capable of delivering 8000 kg to LEO or 5800 kg to SSO inside a {{Cvt|4.7|m}} fairing. In October 2021, the first Beta launch was planned for the second half of 2024.{{Cite web |last=Burghardt |first=Thomas |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/10/reusability-small-launch-providers/ |title=Reusability on the horizon for small satellite launch providers |work=NASASpaceFlight |date=October 14, 2021 |access-date=October 14, 2021 |archive-date=October 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014211617/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/10/reusability-small-launch-providers/ |url-status=live }}

Since its announcement in August 2022, the MLV design has undergone several revisions.{{Cite web |title=Launch-beta |url=https://firefly.com/beta/ |access-date=August 8, 2022|website=Firefly Aerospace |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812215802/https://firefly.com/beta/ |archive-date=August 12, 2022 |url-status=dead}} Now known as the Medium Launch Vehicle, or MLV, the rocket is now 4.32 m (14.17 ft) in diameter with 7 Miranda engines on the first stage and 1 Vira engine on the second stage.{{Cite web |title=Firefly Aerospace doubles Texas footprint to support testing of Antares 330, MLV rocket – Spaceflight Now |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2024/02/28/firefly-aerospace-doubles-texas-footprint-to-support-testing-of-antares-330-mlv-rocket/ |access-date=2024-02-28 |language=en-US}} It will be capable of delivering over 16,000 kg to LEO in a 5 m (16.4 ft) fairing.{{Cite web |title=Medium Launch Vehicle |url=https://fireflyspace.com/mlv/ |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=Firefly Aerospace |language=en-US}} The first MLV launch is scheduled for the second half of 2026{{cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |url=https://spacenews.com/firefly-signs-multi-launch-agreement-with-l3harris/ |title=Firefly signs multi-launch agreement with L3Harris |work=SpaceNews |date=7 August 2024 |access-date=7 August 2024 |quote=Representatives of Firefly and Northrop said they expected the first flight of MLV to take place in the second half of 2026.}} from Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. MLV will initially be expendable but will eventually "incorporate first-stage reusability."{{Cite web |title=Firefly Doubles its Footprint and Charts a Course for 'Launch, Land, Orbit' |url=https://payloadspace.com/firefly-doubles-its-footprint-and-charts-a-course-for-launch-land-orbit/ |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=Payload Space |date=February 29, 2024 |language=en-US}} In April 2024, the company reported on social media that it was progressing and on track with Miranda engine testing for the MLV.{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/fireflyaerospace/reel/C4vnEeVoJKq/ |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=www.instagram.com}} In mid-2024, the company added that the MLV's first stage is being architected for return to launch site landings, and hope to have the technology refined by flight 6 of the vehicle.{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Stephen |date=2024-07-02 |title=Firefly is building fast and breaking things on path to a reusable rocket |url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/07/firefly-is-building-fast-and-breaking-things-on-path-to-a-reusable-rocket/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}}

{{main|Antares 300}}

Firefly is a subcontractor for the Northrop Grumman Antares series 300, providing the first stage, which consists of a de-rated MLV first stage. The second stage is carried over from the previous Antares 230+. Wallops LP-0A is being retrofitted to support the new, larger, more powerful first stage.{{Cite news |url= https://spacenews.com/northrop-grumman-and-firefly-to-partner-on-upgraded-antares/ |title= Northrop Grumman and Firefly to partner on upgraded Antares |first= Jeff |last=Foust |date= August 8, 2022 |publisher= SpaceNews.com }}{{Cite press release |url= https://news.northropgrumman.com/news/releases/northrop-grumman-teams-with-firefly-aerospace-to-develop-antares-rocket-upgrade-and-new-medium-launch-vehicle |title= Northrop Grumman Teams with Firefly Aerospace to Develop Antares Rocket Upgrade and New Medium Launch Vehicle |author= Northrop Grumman |date= August 8, 2022 }}{{Cite AV media |series=Rocket News |date=August 11, 2022 |title=Firefly Will Replace Russian Engines On Antares Rocket With Beta Booster |via=Youtube |first=Scott |last=Manley |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaJf2uxK_uA}} In April 2024, the company announced testing was occurring on the Antares 300.{{Cite web |title=[Video] Firefly Aerospace on LinkedIn: Last week at our Rocket Ranch, Fireflies lifted the first Antares 330/MLV… |url=https://www.linkedin.com/posts/fireflyspace_last-week-at-our-rocket-ranch-fireflies-activity-7191480315901612033-5J99 |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=www.linkedin.com |language=en}}

File:Firefly_Engine_Test.jpegFirefly Gamma was a concept of a winged rocket to launch small payloads into orbit. It would have been a two-stage-to-orbit partially reusable rocket, with its first stage landing horizontally on a runway.{{cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/firefly-partners-with-aerojet-rocketdyne-mulls-ar1-engine-for-beta-launch-vehicle/|title= Firefly partners with Aerojet Rocketdyne, mulls AR1 engine for Beta launch vehicle|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20191022051125/https://spacenews.com/firefly%2Dpartners%2Dwith%2Daerojet%2Drocketdyne%2Dmulls%2Dar1%2Dengine%2Dfor%2Dbeta%2Dlaunch%2Dvehicle/ |archive-date=October 22, 2019 |first= Caleb |last=Henry |work=SpaceNews |date= October 18, 2019}}[https://firefly.com/launch-gamma/ Firefly Gamma] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126120618/https://firefly.com/launch-gamma/ |date=November 26, 2021 }}, Firefly Aerospace, Accessed on November 30, 2019

{{Main|Firefly Aerospace Blue Ghost}}

Blue Ghost is a class of lunar landers designed at Firefly's Cedar Park facility to meet the updated NASA requirements for a Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) lunar lander. The lander is named after the blue ghost firefly Phausis reticulata.{{Cite press release|url = https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210520005731/en/Firefly-Aerospace-Awards-Contract-to-SpaceX-to-Launch-Blue-Ghost-Mission-to-Moon-in-2023|title = Firefly Aerospace Awards Contract to SpaceX to Launch Blue Ghost Mission to Moon in 2023|date = May 20, 2021|access-date = May 20, 2021|archive-date = May 20, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210520144232/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210520005731/en/Firefly-Aerospace-Awards-Contract-to-SpaceX-to-Launch-Blue-Ghost-Mission-to-Moon-in-2023|url-status = live}}

On January 15, 2025, Blue Ghost M1, the first Firefly lander, launched on a Falcon 9 Block 5 launch vehicle and it landed successfully on the Moon on March 2, 2025. The launch was shared with the competing Hakuto-R Mission 2 lunar lander.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-19 |title='Gets your blood pumping' {{!}} A Central Texas company is headed to the moon |url=https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/texas-company-building-moon-lander-firefly-leander/269-ceb1d24d-78d7-4ff4-a3b5-a668e0251d42 |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=kvue.com |language=en-US}}

On March 2, 2025, Blue Ghost performed a "picture-perfect landing," {{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Stephen |date=2025-03-03 |title=Firefly’s picture-perfect Moon landing shows the way for lunar exploration |url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/03/fireflys-ghostly-landing-proves-a-scrappy-company-can-shoot-for-the-moon/ |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=Ars Technica |language=en}} making Firefly the first commercial company in history to achieve a successful soft-landing on the Moon.{{Cite web |last=since 1984 |first=William Harwood CBS News Space Consultant Bill Harwood has been covering the U. S. space program full-time |last2=International |first2=first as Cape Canaveral bureau chief for United Press |last3=Harwood |first3=now as a consultant for CBS News Read Full Bio William |date=2025-03-02 |title=Texas company pulls off first fully successful commercial landing on the moon - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-company-firefly-aerospace-blue-ghost-commercial-moon-landing/ |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}

On June 9, 2019, Firefly Aerospace announced that it had signed an agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), which owns the intellectual property of the Beresheet lunar lander design, to build a lunar lander named Genesis based on Beresheet.{{cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/firefly-to-partner-with-iai-on-lunar-lander/ |title=Firefly to partner with IAI on lunar lander |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190709150514/https://spacenews.com/firefly-to-partner-with-iai-on-lunar-lander/ |archive-date=July 9, 2019 |first= Jeff |last=Foust |work=SpaceNews|date= July 9, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/9/20686024/beresheet-lunar-lander-genesis-iai-firefly-aerospace-moon-israel |title=Israel's failed lunar lander will live on in the design of Firefly Aerospace's new Moon spacecraft |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126120620/https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/9/20686024/beresheet-lunar-lander-genesis-iai-firefly-aerospace-moon-israel |archive-date=November 26, 2021 |first= Loren |last=Grush |work=The Verge|date= July 9, 2019}}[https://firefly.com/genesis/ Firefly Genesis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127110829/https://firefly.com/genesis/ |date=January 27, 2021 }} Firefly Aerospace Accessed on September 13, 2019 Genesis was proposed for NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) to deliver payloads to the surface of the Moon. If selected, Firefly Genesis would have been launched on a Firefly Beta rocket or a Falcon 9 rocket in late 2022.{{Cite web|first=Stephen|last=Clark|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/04/01/in-parallel-with-rocket-development-firefly-offers-details-on-lunar-lander-initiative/|title=In parallel with rocket development, Firefly launches lunar lander initiative|publisher=Spaceflight Now|date=April 1, 2020|access-date=March 5, 2021|archive-date=April 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404073400/https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/04/01/in-parallel-with-rocket-development-firefly-offers-details-on-lunar-lander-initiative/|url-status=live}} Due to changing CLPS specifications, Firefly determined that Genesis no longer fit NASA's requirements and started work on the Blue Ghost in 2021.{{Cite web|last=Foust|first=Jeff|url=https://spacenews.com/firefly-wins-nasa-clps-lunar-lander-contract/|title=Firefly wins NASA CLPS lunar lander contract|publisher=SpaceNews|date=February 4, 2021|access-date=February 4, 2021}}

{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2024}}

To date, Firefly is the only organization to develop an orbital-class rocket engine utilizing the combustion tap-off cycle, and the only organization to develop a tap-off cycle engine using RP-1 (highly refined kerosene) and liquid oxygen, also known as a kerolox engine.

This engine type eliminates traditional gas generators and instead opts to "tap off" the main combustion chamber, utilizing the high heat and pressure within it to drive the pumps.

This provides a slight increase in specific impulse and results in a dramatically simpler and lighter engine, in exchange for increased engineering complexity and requiring more exotic materials in order to handle the high heat and pressure. The startup sequence is also more challenging.

As a result of these challenges, tap-off has been largely ignored, with the only other engines using it being the Rocketdyne J-2S and Blue Origin BE-3PM, which are both hydrolox engines (fueled by liquid hydrogen).

Firefly designed both Reaver and Lightning in close cooperation with Firefly Aerospace Ukraine which had status of Ukrainian subsidiary of Firefly. Firefly Aerospace Ukraine hadn't any relations to other Ukrainian aerospace companies like Yuzhnoye and Yuzhmash. However Yuzhmash was involved in production of some engine components. There were plans to use Yuzhmash for mass production of Firefly engines but these plans were cancelled.

Reaver is an expendable rocket engine designed for use on Firefly's Alpha rocket. It produces {{convert|184|kN}} of thrust and a specific impulse of {{convert|295.6|isp}}. It is powered by RP-1 and liquid oxygen as its fuel and oxidizer, respectively. Reaver is fixed-throttle, meaning it runs at full power from ignition to first stage shutdown (eschewing the typical throttle-down performed by many vehicles at Max-Q to reduce aerodynamic loads) and is ignited with the pyrophoric combination TEA-TEB (also used on the SpaceX Merlin and Rocketdyne F-1). It utilizes a pintle-type injector.

In 2021, The Verge reported that Astra Space had purchased up to 50 modified Reaver engines and a technology transfer to license-build their own version of Reaver in-house for their Rocket 4 vehicle.{{Cite web |last=Roulette |first=Joey |date=2021-09-21 |title=Launch startups Astra and Firefly ink secret rocket engine IP deal |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/21/22670063/astra-firefly-reaver-rocket-engine-ip-agreement |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}} Astra refers to this engine as Chiron. It is largely the same as Reaver, but Firefly implemented a two-axis hydraulic gimbal and a modified startup sequence to meet Astra's demands, as part of Firefly's space propulsion program.{{cite web |title=Firefly to Become the Premier Supplier of Rocket Engines and Spaceflight Components for the Emerging New Space Industry |url=https://firefly.com/firefly-to-become-the-premier-supplier-of-rocket-engines-and-spaceflight-components-for-the-emerging-new-space-industry/ |website=Firefly |date=August 6, 2021 |access-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812233223/https://firefly.com/firefly-to-become-the-premier-supplier-of-rocket-engines-and-spaceflight-components-for-the-emerging-new-space-industry/ |archive-date=12 August 2021}}

Lightning is a vacuum-optimized engine designed for use on the upper stage of Firefly's Alpha rocket. Lightning produces {{convert|70.1|kN}} of thrust and a specific impulse of {{convert|322|isp}}. Like Reaver, Lightning uses RP-1 and LOX as its propellants as well as the same combustion tap-off cycle. It is also re-lightable for missions requiring multiple upper stage burns. It uses Firefly's patented "Crossfire" injector design.

Miranda is a liquid-fueled rocket engine currently being developed to power the company’s MLV (Medium Launch Vehicle). The Miranda will also be used on the Antares 330 rocket developed by Northrop Grumman.{{Cite news |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=2022-08-08 |title=Northrop Grumman and Firefly to partner on upgraded Antares |url=https://spacenews.com/northrop-grumman-and-firefly-to-partner-on-upgraded-antares/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |work=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}

The Antares previously used a Ukrainian-built first stage with the Russian-built RD-181 engine and production ceased after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite news |last=Tingley |first=Brett |date=2023-11-29 |title=Firefly Aerospace's new rocket engine spouts green flames in 1st 'hot fire' test (photo) |url=https://www.space.com/firefly-aerospace-miranda-engine-hot-fire-test-photo |access-date=2024-06-22 |work=Space.com |language=en}} Firefly will also assemble the entire first stage for the Antares 330.{{Cite news |last=Clark |first=Stephen |date=2024-07-02 |title=Firefly is building fast and breaking things on path to a reusable rocket |url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/07/firefly-is-building-fast-and-breaking-things-on-path-to-a-reusable-rocket/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=Ars Technica |language=en-us}}

Like Firefly's previous engine's, the Miranda will use RP-1 and LOX in a combustion tap-off cycle. It is expected to produce {{convert|1,023|kN}} of thrust and a specific impulse of {{convert|305|isp}} in vacuum.{{Cite web |title=New Medium Launch Vehicle |url=https://fireflyspace.com/mlv/ |access-date=August 16, 2024 |publisher=Firefly Aerospace}}{{Cite web |date=2022-08-17 |title=Northrop Grumman Teams with Firefly Aerospace to Develop Antares Rocket Upgrade and New Medium Launch Vehicle |url=https://fireflyspace.com/news/northrop-grumman-teams-with-firefly-aerospace-to-develop-antares-rocket-upgrade-and-new-medium-launch-vehicle/ |publisher=Firefly Aerospace}}

Development began in 2022, and in 2024 Firefly reported substantial progress on testing the engine, with 20 test fires completed. As of June 2024, the Miranda engine had entered production. To support production of the Miranda engine, the MLV and the first-stage for the Antares 300, Firefly expanded its Briggs, Texas facility from {{Convert|92,000 to 207,000|sqft}}.{{Cite web |last=Kuhr |first=Jack |date=2024-02-29 |title=Firefly Doubles its Footprint and Charts a Course for 'Launch, Land, Orbit' |url=https://payloadspace.com/firefly-doubles-its-footprint-and-charts-a-course-for-launch-land-orbit/ |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=Payload |language=en-US}}

Firefly said that it has designed the Miranda from its inception for reusability. The company plans to restart the engine multiple times as the rocket performs a return-to-launch-site maneuver for a propulsive landing.

Vira (formerly known as "Miranda Vacuum," "Viranda," and "Lightning 2") is a vacuum-optimized version of Miranda designed for the upper stage of Firefly's MLV vehicle. Like the Miranda, the engine will be fueled by RP-1 and LOX. It is expected to produce {{convert|890|kN}} of thrust and a specific impulse of {{convert|328|isp}} in vacuum. It is relightable for missions requiring multiple upper stage burns.

{{Primary sources section|date=July 2024}}

Firefly is developing Elytra, a lineup of orbital transfer vehicles designed to move payloads and satellites from one orbit to another within LEO, GEO, and cislunar space. Elytra would allow smaller rockets (such as Firefly's own Alpha) to deliver larger payloads to more difficult orbits, and enable satellite relocation, servicing, mission extension, and deorbiting.

Elytra is planned to be produced in three versions: Elytra Dawn (the smallest, intended for LEO operations), Elytra Dusk (intended for LEO-to-geostationary transfers), and Elytra Dark (the most capable, intended for long-duration transfers to cislunar space and beyond). Elytra Dark will propel Blue Ghost Mission 2 to lunar orbit and serve as an orbiter, as well as deploy ESA's Lunar Pathfinder payload.{{cite web |title=Elytra |url=https://fireflyspace.com/elytra/}}

Firefly headquarters and factory are located in Cedar Park, Texas.{{Cite web|url=http://www.fox7austin.com/news/local-news/austin-area-aerospace-company-selected-by-nasa-for-commercial-lunar-payload-services-contract|title=Austin-area aerospace company selected by NASA for Commercial Lunar Payload Services Contract|last=FOX|date=December 2018|publisher=KTBC|access-date=January 29, 2019|archive-date=December 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203181901/http://www.fox7austin.com/news/local-news/austin-area-aerospace-company-selected-by-nasa-for-commercial-lunar-payload-services-contract|url-status=live}} The company has access to about 50,000 ft² of manufacturing facilities for building composite and metallic components in-house.{{Cite web|title=Firefly Re-Emerges With Upgraded Alpha Rocket Design {{!}} Aviation Week Network|url=https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/firefly-re-emerges-upgraded-alpha-rocket-design|access-date=March 27, 2021|publisher=aviationweek.com|archive-date=December 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218063240/https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/firefly-re-emerges-upgraded-alpha-rocket-design|url-status=live}} Firefly will use leased launch sites in California (Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2) and in Florida (SLC-20).[https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/22/18234604/firefly-aerospace-cape-canaveral-florida-launch-site-slc-20 Resurrected Firefly Aerospace will take over a launch site at busy Florida spaceport] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126120616/https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/22/18234604/firefly-aerospace-cape-canaveral-florida-launch-site-slc-20 |date=November 26, 2021 }} February 22, 2019

{{Portalbar|Spaceflight}}

• Relativity Space
• Rocket Lab
• Stoke Space

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://fireflyspace.com/}}

Category:Firefly Aerospace