Firefly Aerospace is set to launch its Alpha rocket for the first time, with the U.S. Space Force as a customer.
The rocket is designed to carry payloads of up to 1,300 kilograms into orbit and has a launch price of $15 million, making it an attractive option for smaller satellite operators and research institutions.
- The launch is part of the Space Force's High-Speed Victus Nox mission, which aims to test a range of technologies and capabilities for space operations.
- Firefly has been working on the Alpha rocket for several years, with the company facing financial challenges and a bankruptcy filing in 2017.
- The Alpha rocket uses a unique engine design that incorporates 3D-printed components and is powered by a combination of liquid oxygen and kerosene.
- Firefly is one of several private space companies vying for a share of the growing small satellite market, which is expected to be worth billions of dollars in the coming years.