Lockheed Martin to Launch Tech Demo on Firefly Aerospace Alpha Vehicle

Firefly Alpha launch. Photo: Firefly

Lockheed Martin has signed a deal to launch a tech demonstration on a Firefly Aerospace Alpha launch vehicle. This is the first deal between Lockheed Martin and the launcher. 

Firefly’s Thursday announcement was light on details on what the mission will entail, and when it will occur. The Alpha rocket has the capability to launch more than 1,000 kg to Low-Earth Orbit (LEO). 

“We are working with Firefly because of their innovative performance in offering access to space for small payloads on Firefly Alpha,” said Dan Tenney, vice president of strategy and business development for Lockheed Martin Space. “We look forward to collaborating with them, as we focus on creating a resilient launch environment for our upcoming technology demonstration.”

The Alpha rocket reached orbit in an October 2022 launch, but deployed the payloads to a lower orbit than intended, and the payloads reentered the atmosphere within a few days, Space News reported at the time. The launcher is currently preparing to launch a batch of cubesats for NASA in August, TechCrunch recently reported. 

Firefly also recently announced a deal to acquire smallsat rideshare company Spaceflight, and will end Spaceflight’s rideshare business after its current contracts. Firefly mentioned Spaceflight’s orbital transfer vehicles and experience in mission management as reasons for the acquisition.