Firefly Aerospace
Firefly’s Alpha rocket reaches orbit on second launch
Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha launch vehicle reached orbit on its second launch Oct. 1, more than a year after the vehicle’s first launch failed.
Firefly hires new CEO ahead of second launch
Firefly Aerospace has hired an executive with extensive experience in aerospace and defense as its next CEO as the company gears up for its second orbital launch attempt.
Big plans for mini-launchers
Industry’s attention is shifting to a larger class of rockets, sometimes called ”mini-launchers” capable of placing about a metric ton into orbit.
Northrop Grumman and Firefly to partner on upgraded Antares
Northrop Grumman and Firefly Aerospace announced Aug. 8 that they will work together to develop a new first stage for Northrop’s Antares launch vehicle as well as a future medium-lift rocket.
Draper wins NASA contract for farside lunar lander mission
NASA awarded a contract to Draper to send three science instruments to the far side of the moon through a commercial payload delivery program.
Firefly gears up for second Alpha launch
Firefly Aerospace is preparing for the second launch of its Alpha rocket in late August or early September, hoping that a successful mission can enable a “step change” in activity for the company.
Firefly co-founder Markusic to step down as CEO
Firefly Aerospace announced June 15 that Tom Markusic, co-founder of the launch vehicle and spacecraft developer, will step down as its chief executive but remain with the company as it prepares for its second launch.
Firefly raises $75 million as it prepares for second launch
Launch vehicle developer Firefly Aerospace has raised $75 million in a new funding round as the company, now under new ownership, prepares for a second launch of its Alpha rocket this spring.
AE Industrial Partners to acquire stake in Firefly from Noosphere
AE Industrial Partners is buying the part of Firefly Aerospace currently owned by Noosphere Venture Partners, which previously announced it was being forced by the federal government to sell its stake in the launch vehicle developer.
Firefly halts launch preparations after federal government seeks divestment of foreign ownership
Firefly Aerospace is pausing preparations for its next Alpha launch, originally scheduled for early 2022, after the government asked its largest shareholder to divest its stake for national security reasons.
Firefly Aerospace hires former Air Force officer to lead space transportation sales
Firefly Aerospace has hired a former U.S. Air Force officer to lead a rebranded subsidiary responsible for sales of its launch vehicles and other capabilities to government and commercial customers.
Firefly Alpha failure blamed on premature engine shutdown
Firefly Aerospace said Sept. 5 its first Alpha rocket failed when one of its first-stage engines shut down seconds after liftoff.
Firefly Alpha explodes during first launch
Firefly Aerospace’s first launch of its Alpha rocket ended in failure when the rocket exploded two minutes after liftoff Sept. 2
Firefly emphasizes first Alpha launch a test flight
Firefly Aerospace is ready for the first orbital launch attempt of its Alpha rocket on a flight that is as much about collecting vehicle data as it is about reaching orbit.
Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket ready for first launch
Firefly Aerospace is ready to make its first orbital launch attempt next week as the company balances a transition to operations with plans to develop new rockets and spacecraft.
Firefly hires former SpaceX, Blue Origin engineer as COO
Firefly Aerospace has hired a former SpaceX and Blue Origin engineer as its new chief operating officer to guide the company’s shift from development to production, although exactly when the company’s first launch will take place remains unclear.
FAA begins use of system to reduce impact of launches on airspace
The FAA has started to use a new tool intended to better integrate commercial launches and reentries into the National Airspace System, reducing the disruptions those events have on aviation.
Firefly selects SpaceX to launch its lunar lander
Firefly Aerospace announced May 20 it selected SpaceX to launch its first lunar lander mission for NASA, the latest in a series of contract wins by SpaceX for lunar missions.
Firefly Aerospace raises $75 million Series A round
Firefly Aerospace, nearing the first launch of its Alpha rocket, announced May 4 it raised $75 million in a Series A round that values the company at more than $1 billion.
Noosphere Ventures aims to build an integrated space powerhouse: Q&A with managing partner Max Polyakov
Max Polyakov is on a mission to build out a vertically integrated space business with Noosphere Ventures Partners, his Silicon Valley-based investment vehicle. He tells SpaceNews how COVID-19 has affected these plans, and how a surge in public companies is changing the business environment.
