Lockheed Martin to Fly Demo Mission on Firefly Alpha Rocket
Lockheed Martin has signed a launch deal with Firefly Aerospace for a technology demonstration mission that will launch aboard Firefly’s Alpha vehicle, though some key details about the mission have yet to be disclosed.
Featuring a weight-reducing carbon composite sandwich structure and Firefly’s patented tap-off cycle propulsion technology using LOX/RP-1 fuel, the two-stage Alpha rocket is designed to provide affordable launch services to customers. It has the capability to lift more than 2,200 pounds (1,000 kg) to low Earth orbit, and 1,388 pounds (630 kg) to Sun-synchronous orbit.
“Lockheed Martin is working with Firefly because of their innovative performance in offering access to space for small payloads on Firefly Alpha,” a Lockheed Martin spokesperson told SpaceRef over email. “Lockheed Martin has launch requirements to meet for our technology demonstrations and we’re looking forward to working with Firefly to meet those needs.”
“Firefly’s flight-proven hardware and rapid launch capabilities are well-aligned with Lockheed Martin’s mission needs, and we’re proud to serve as one of their launch providers,” Firefly Aerospace CEO Bill Weber said in a June 29 company news release that announced the deal. “We have the infrastructure, technologies, systems, and a dedicated team in place to provide on-demand launch services for both government and commercial customers.”
Thus far, neither company has announced a date for the Lockheed Martin flight aboard the Firefly Alpha, nor have they shared any specific data as to what the payload will be. Firefly Aerospace did not respond to SpaceRef’s request for comment. Firefly Aerospace is expected to launch its next Alpha flight, FTL-003, later this month, though no official date has been set for that either.
Texas-based Firefly Aerospace describes itself as being “an end-to-end space transportation company with launch, lunar, and in-space services,” according to the news release. “Firefly’s small- to medium-lift launch vehicles, Space Utility Vehicles, and Blue Ghost lunar landers provide the space industry with a single source for missions from LEO to the surface of the Moon and beyond.”
Editor’s note (7/14/23): This article originally attributed comments from Lockheed Martin to Tierra D. Johnson, who works in business communications at Lockheed Martin. Johnson later clarified that they were speaking on behalf of the company rather than personally offering a statement.
