Firefly Aerospace

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WASHINGTON — Firefly Aerospace on Oct. 18 said it is collaborating with Aerojet Rocketdyne to increase the performance of its upcoming Alpha launch vehicle, and is considering Aerojet Rocketdyne’s AR1 engine for a future launch vehicle.
Cedar Park, Texas-based Firefly said its debut Alpha rocket, set to launch in the first quarter of 2020, will feature 3D-printed components from Aerojet Rocketdyne on its first-stage Reaver engines.
The company’s second vehicle, Beta, may use the AR1 engine Aerojet Rocketdyne previously promoted as an option for United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket, the two companies said.
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spacenews.com

Firefly partners with Aerojet Rocketdyne, mulls AR1 engine for Beta launch vehicle

Firefly Aerospace on Oct. 18 said it is collaborating with Aerojet Rocketdyne to increase the performance of its upcoming Alpha launch vehicle, and is considering Aerojet Rocketdyne’s AR1 engine for a future launch vehicle.
spacenews.com spacenews.com
 
Their Feb 2020 goal wound up being derailed but they are finally starting to make progress. Payload to LEO is 2000lbs at $15M price.

First stage integrated test. 165 thousand pounds of total thrust (4 engines).

Engine gimbal views


So now they are starting to dream of future plans including this.

Gamma Reusable Spaceplane
Gamma Reusable Spaceplane.jpg

Interior details
Gamma Inner.jpg

Specs
Gamma Specs.jpg
 
spacenews.com

Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket ready for first launch

Firefly Aerospace is ready to make its first orbital launch attempt next week as the company balances a shift to operations with new vehicle development.
spacenews.com spacenews.com

Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket ready for first launch

The rocket could have been ready sooner but for the delayed delivery of a component needed for its flight termination system. Markusic declined to identify the specific component or its supplier, but said it was one of the few major components that the company did not develop in-house.

“The vendor could not get the components qualified and delivered on time,” he said. “We’re a year behind schedule on that flight termination system.”
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1431377106471161859
View: https://twitter.com/erdayastronaut/status/1431377106471161859


EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT!!! We’re very proud to be hosting the official livestream for @Firefly_Space’s VERY FIRST orbital launch attempt on September 2nd! Their Alpha rocket is awesome & I can’t wait to watch them launch this beautiful beast from Vandenberg with you all!
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1432720991235551250
View: https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1432720991235551250


I checked with Firefly, whose first Alpha launch is scheduled for Thursday from Vandenberg, and they say they have no issues with consumables that would delay their launch.
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They found what happen
one of engines shut down 15 second after launch

Firefly Alpha first stage engine use a unique system to power the Turbopumps
it tap hot gas from combustion chamber, cool it down to power the turbine.
seem on that engine it din't work...

E-iUrtYWEAILOv5
 
The debris model for Alpha is being redone as a result of some pieces of the terminated rocket floating downwind to populated areas. A slight change to the mission profile is being considered to mitigate these concerns. The second flight of Alpha will be another demonstration flight with deployable educational payloads onboard.
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www.nasaspaceflight.com

Reusability on the horizon for small satellite launch providers - NASASpaceFlight.com

During October 2021’s Small Payload Ride Share Association Symposium, a collection of small satellite launch…
www.nasaspaceflight.com www.nasaspaceflight.com
 
Firefly along with NG will be developing an upgraded Antares launcher the 330, along with an all new medium launcher.

Northrop Grumman and Firefly Aerospace announced Aug. 8 that they will work together to develop a new first stage for Northrop’s Antares launch vehicle as well as a future medium-lift rocket.

The new version of the Antares, called the Antares 330, will feature a first stage using seven Miranda engines under development by Firefly. The stage will also use Firefly composites for its structure and tanks.
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spacenews.com

Northrop Grumman and Firefly to partner on upgraded Antares - SpaceNews

Northrop Grumman and Firefly Aerospace announced Aug. 8 that they will work together to develop a new first stage for Northrop’s Antares rocket.
spacenews.com spacenews.com
 
View: https://youtu.be/nzplxkfPdEA


Up close and personal with Firefly's Alpha rocket!
17 Sept 2022

I had the pleasure of speaking to Meagan Roth (Senior Manager of Launch and Test Operations), Shea Ferring (Senior Vice President, Engineering) and Jordi Paredes Garcia (Alpha Chief Engineer) about Firefly's Alpha rocket and their Blue Ghost lunar lander!
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Congratulation Firefly

Second attempt was success, Alpha delivery cube sat in Sunsyn orbit
that rocket even punch true Max-q with full thrust
Sadly the video stream hab dropout
 
https://twitter.com/x/status/1578716925206573056
View: https://twitter.com/firefly_space/status/1578716925206573056


Great article by @Sandra_I_Erwin of @SpaceNews_Inc on our recent contract award with the U.S. Space Force. We are excited about this mission and looking forward to demonstrating Firefly's rapid-response launch capabilities.
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spacenews.com

After successful first launch, Firefly sets sight on national security market - SpaceNews

After winning a $17.6 million Space Force contract for a 2023 mission, Firefly eyes more opportunities in the military market
spacenews.com spacenews.com
 
https://twitter.com/x/status/1588951348187389953
View: https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1588951348187389953


Some discussion about the successor of Antares 230+, the Antares 330, and future MLV vehicle, at the briefing, including that Northrop/Firefly keeping open the option of making the first stage of MLV reusable.
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1588949239425634305
View: https://twitter.com/spcplcyonline/status/1588949239425634305


NG's Kurt Eberly says new Antares 330 with domestically sourced (Firefly) first stage in late 2024 will be able to launch 10,500 kg compared to nominal 8,100 kg for this version.
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