L3Harris Orders 3 Alpha Launches from Firefly Aerospace 

Firefly Aerospace Alpha launch vehicle on the pad. Photo: Firefly Aerospace

L3Harris has ordered three dedicated launches from Firefly Aerospace on its Alpha launch vehicle, the companies announced Tuesday. The launches are targeted for 2026. The three missions will launch from Firefly’s launch site at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

The announcement was light on details, but Firefly said the launches to Low-Earth Orbit will support the U.S. government’s responsive space needs.  

“Firefly is honored to support the ongoing mission needs of L3Harris as they continue to deliver satellite systems that advance our national security,” said Bill Weber, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. “Firefly’s team, facilities, and manufacturing capabilities are positioned to rapidly respond to industry demand for our small- and medium-lift launch services, ensuring mission success for each customer.”

This is another commercial win for Firefly, after it signed a launch contract with Lockheed Martin in June to launch a tech demonstration. 

Firefly is currently in “hot standby” phase for the VICTUS NOX Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) mission for the U.S. Space Force. In the mission, Firefly and Millennium Space Systems will receive short notice to launch and have to rapidly deliver the payload, integrate it with the launch vehicle, and launch.