MOBILITY ENGINEERING Produced by SAE Media Group
MOBILITY ENGINEERING
Magazines
Magazine cover

Current Issue

Archives

Magazine cover

Current Issue

Archives

Magazine cover

Current Issue

Archives

Magazine cover

Current Issue

Archives

Firefly Aerospace Is the Latest Addition to Florida’s “Space Coast”

(Image courtesy: Firefly Aerospace, Inc.)

Cedar Park, Texas-based Firefly Aerospace, Inc.  has reached an agreement with Space Florida  – the state’s aerospace economic development agency – to establish a facility at Cape Canaveral Spaceport. Through the agreement, Firefly, a spacecraft and launch vehicle developer and provider of launch and in-space services, will conduct launch operations at Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 20 (SLC-20) and create manufacturing facilities at Exploration Park, Florida.

"Firefly Aerospace is proud to be the newest member of the Florida Space Coast family," says Firefly CEO Dr. Tom Markusic. "Our mass production manufacturing facility in Exploration Park will enable Firefly to produce 24 Alpha vehicles a year, enabling a launch cadence that will support a rapidly expanding global small satellite revolution and the commercialization of cislunar space."

Firefly’s Alpha is a two-stage, expendable launch vehicle developed from funding provided by a NASA  Venture Class Launch Services  contract, which is a awarded to companies developing launch capabilities for small satellites (SmallSats) and CubeSats  . Both stages of the Alpha vehicle use a kerosene and liquid oxygen fuel, with the first stage using an altitude compensating aerospike engine design and the second stage a conventional contour bell nozzle.

(Image courtesy: Firefly Aerospace, Inc.)

"SLC-20 will allow Firefly access to lower inclination orbital trajectories for its customers and enable access to lunar trajectories for its lander program as part of our Commercial Lunar Payload Services contract with NASA," states Brad Obrocto, Firefly’s director of launch operations.

Read more: Orbex debuts innovative smallsat launch vehicle

"Firefly's presence in the State of Florida further solidifies that Florida's Spaceport System is poised to lead the world in this next space era. We look forward to the new launch and manufacturing capabilities that Firefly brings to SLC-20 and Exploration Park, respectively," says Frank DiBello, Space Florida president and CEO.

Space Florida will match up to $18.9 million of Firefly's $52 million Florida infrastructure investments via the Florida Department of Transportation Spaceport Improvement Program.

In order to obtain site operations permission, Firefly met requirements in order to obtain a statement of capability from the 45th Space Wing  of the United States Air Force  , the commanding unit that oversees Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Read more about commercial space

"The 45th Space Wing welcomes new launch providers who wish to assist in furthering America's assured access to space. The statement of capability represents an important first step for Firefly Aerospace to obtain certification for launch operations on the Eastern Range," according to John Way, 45th Space Wing spokesperson.

"The space industry is expected to be fastest growing segment of the worldwide economy in the coming decades, with analysts predicting a global market of over a $1 trillion a year by 2040," says Dr. Markusic. "Firefly Aerospace is uniquely positioned to be successful in this new economy. With launch sites on both coasts and a mass production facility to support future growth, our global team of over 300 highly accomplished engineers and technicians will provide space solutions from [low Earth orbit] to the surface of the Moon and beyond."

William Kucinski  is content editor at SAE International, Aerospace Products Group in Warrendale, Pa. Previously, he worked as a writer at the NASA Safety Center in Cleveland, Ohio and was responsible for writing the agency’s System Failure Case Studies. His interests include literally anything that has to do with space, past and present military aircraft, and propulsion technology.

Contact him regarding any article or collaboration ideas by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Topics:
Aerospace Automotive Defense Electrification Expendable launch vehicles Launch vehicles Propulsion Satellite/Spacecraft Communications Satellites Spacecraft Spacecraft Vehicles

More From SAE Media Group

    Transcript

    00:00:02 In the beginning of the NASA space program... ...bigger was better. Big ideas required big rockets. These big rockets took us farther than we’d ever dreamed possible. First into orbit, and then to the moon. They’ve taken us to the edge of the solar system, and beyond. They’ve given us a new perspective on the universe. And allowed us to explore distant worlds. In the beginning big ideas required big rockets. But today, as technology continues to get smaller...

    00:01:04 ...size is no longer the limit. Introducing NASA’s Venture Class Launch Service. A smaller class of rocket... ...inspiring us to think bigger, dream bigger than ever before. Venture Class, smaller rockets designed by smaller teams. Dedicated payloads... ...faster turnaround... ...at a fraction of the cost. Launching satellites you can fit in the palm of your hand. Helping to expand the industries of science, technology, and communication.

    00:01:50 Bringing us closer together by making space more accessible than ever before. Big ideas... Bigger dreams... In a smaller package. Venture Class.

    Top Stories

    INSIDERDesign

    Feature Image New Copper Alloy Could Provide Breakthrough in Durability for Military Systems

    INSIDERManned Systems

    Feature Image Boeing to Develop New Space Force Nuclear Communications Satellites

    INSIDERAerospace

    Feature Image TEWS Introduces First VITA 93 QMC Modules

    INSIDERConnectivity

    Feature Image Metamaterials Antenna Makes Generational Leap in Multi-Band Connectivity

    INSIDERManned Systems

    Feature Image Regulation and Technology Changes Needed for Drone Detection, Mitigation in US...

    ArticlesManned Systems

    Feature Image Tariff Challenges, EV Advances at Mobility 360

    Webcasts