CEDAR PARK, Texas – (BUSINESS THREAD) – Firefly Aerospace, Inc., a leading provider of economical and reliable launch vehicles, spacecraft and space services, has announced that NASA has allocated $ 93.3 million to Firefly to deliver a package of ten NASA-sponsored science and technology demonstration loads liver. Mare Crisium in the moon’s Crisium basin. Firefly’s ‘Blue Ghost’ lunar lander will deliver payloads to the lunar surface in 2023 to fulfill the 19D task order, Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS), which is managed by NASA’s Science Mission board.
‘Firefly and its teammates are honored to be selected by NASA to deliver these important loads on the lunar surface, paving the way for the exploration of human and robotic missions. The CLPS 19D mission represents the third pillar in Firefly’s plan to become America’s leading end-to-end space transportation company. “With our Alpha launch vehicle providing launch services and our Space Utility Vehicle (SUV) providing space mobility, Firefly is ready to secure the US preference in commercializing sislunar space,” said Dr. Tom Markusic, founder and CEO CEO, said. “The Firefly team of 330 aviation professionals uses more than $ 100 million in specialized engineering, manufacturing and testing facilities to establish themselves as a leader in the country’s aerospace industry base.”
“This award is a further affirmation of Firefly, its team and its mission to become a versatile provider of a wide range of space-related services,” said Dr. Max Polyakov, founder of Noosphere Ventures, the largest investor in Firefly, said. ‘It’s extremely gratifying to know that NASA recognizes the tremendous talent we have gathered at Firefly. Our newly appointed board members provide the highest level of expertise in the U.S. government and provide strategic guidance to further strengthen the company as we move into this next phase of accelerated growth. This is an exciting time. ‘
Blue Ghost (named after the rare Phausis reticulata firefly) will use cargo on board by lunar transport, during lunar orbit and on the lunar surface for a full lunar day (about 14 Earth days) and into the icy dark of lunar night. In addition to the NASA-sponsored cargo, the lander will carry more than 50 kg of commercial cargo. Some of this commercial capacity remains available.
“Our team’s combined experience has led to a creative technical solution to meet the needs of all of these payloads, with a strong emphasis on both lunar return and customer service through each mission phase,” said Lander Chief Engineer Dr. Will Coogan . Firefly’s expertise in rapidly developing and operating efficient space systems, combined with Redwire’s expertise in the development and operation of deep space systems, Advanced Solutions (ASI) in GN&C and spacecraft software, and SpaceWorks Inc. in spacecraft engineering provides an extremely capable lander team. ”
Mare Crisium has been the subject of previous lunar missions, including the Soviet Luna 15, Luna 23 and Luna 24. In 2012, the NASA GRAIL mission confirmed and mapped a mass concentration in the center of the basin. This lunar surface mission will investigate the region’s regolith properties, geophysical properties and the interaction between solar wind and the Earth’s magnetic field.
Firefly is developing, qualifying and manufacturing Blue Ghost in its spacecraft integration facilities in Cedar Park, TX, approximately 30 minutes north of Austin. Country Manager Shea Ferring said: ‘We use our Austin-based AS9100-certified engineering, testing and manufacturing facilities to build and operate world-class spacecraft. NASA’s support for our lunar program enables us to expand our space services capabilities to the benefit of both the US government and commercial customers. ”
Opportunities are open for early careers and experienced professionals to work on the lunar lander, launch vehicles and various spatial related projects.
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Firefly is developing a family of vehicles and services in the space that are affordable, comfortable and reliable in the industry. Firefly’s launch vehicles utilize common technologies, manufacturing infrastructure and launch capability, offering LEO launch solutions for up to ten tons of cargo at the lowest cost per kg in the small launch class. Combined with Firefly’s space vehicles, such as the Space Utility Vehicle and Blue Ghost Lunar Lander, Firefly offers the space industry a single source for missions from LEO to the lunar surface or beyond. Firefly is headquartered in Cedar Park, TX.