Firefly Aerospace successfully launched its Alpha rocket on October 1, 2022, becoming the first US commercial space company to reach orbit. The mission deployed three customer payloads, including demonstration satellites from NASA TechEdSat-15 in conjunction with San Jose State University.
Firefly Aerospace and True Anomaly have agreed to provide rapid launch capabilities for the U.S. Space Force's VICTUS HAZE Tactically Responsive Space mission.
Firefly Aerospace has agreed to deliver Fleet Space's Seismic Payload for Interplanetary Discovery (SPIDER) on its second lunar mission in 2026. The Blue Ghost lander will provide power and communications, enabling SPIDER to capture seismic data from the lunar surface.
Firefly Aerospace has welcomed two new members to its Advisory Board, including Terry Boardman and General James Cartwright. Breaking Defense reports that the appointments reflect the company's growing presence in the launch services market.
Firefly Aerospace has welcomed Shea Ferring as Vice President of Mission Assurance, bringing over 25 years of experience in space system design and integration. Ferring joins Firefly from his previous roles at NASA Launch Services Program, ECAPS, Vencore, and Orbital ATK.
Firefly Aerospace, Inc., has been awarded a $112 million NASA contract to deliver multiple lunar payloads in 2026. As part of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, Firefly will utilize its Blue Ghost spacecraft in a two-stage configuration to place a satellite into lunar orbit and then deliver research payloads on the far side of the Moon.
Firefly Aerospace has been awarded a $176.7 million NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) contract to deliver five payloads to the Moon's south pole in 2029. Utilizing its Elytra orbital vehicle and Blue Ghost lunar lander, Firefly will enable payload operations that include evaluating resources, studying radiation and thermal environments, and deploying rovers and scientific instruments.
Firefly Aerospace has been awarded an approximately $179.6 million NASA contract to deliver and operate six NASA instruments in the Gruithuisen Domes on the Moon's near side in 2028. As part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload (CLPS) initiative, Firefly will utilize its Blue Ghost lunar lander, Elytra Dark orbital vehicle, and a rover from an industry provider to investigate the unique composition of the domes.
Firefly Aerospace has been awarded an $18 million NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) contract to provide radio frequency calibration services from lunar orbit. As part of Blue Ghost Mission 2, Firefly will support the LuSEE-Night radio telescope in unlocking new insights about the universe.
Firefly Aerospace has been awarded the NASA Venture Class Launch Services Demonstration 2 (VCLS Demo 2) contract for the launch of two CubeSat constellations to a 550 km Sun-Synchronous Orbit. The company will bridge demand between pure small launch capability and the National Security Space Launch program, according to Firefly President Leslie Kovacs.
Firefly Aerospace has signed a Long-term Purchase Agreement with RUAG Space for Separation Systems. This contract creates a supplier agreement for Firefly launch vehicles and recognizes future business prospects based on Firefly's Alpha launch vehicle.
Firefly Aerospace has completed the Integration Readiness Review (IRR) of its Blue Ghost M1 lunar lander, marking key progress milestones across multiple areas. The review was held at Firefly's headquarters in Cedar Park, TX, and was led by Ray Allensworth, Blue Ghost Program Manager.
Firefly Aerospace Inc., a leading provider of economical launch vehicles, has completed an oversubscribed $75 million Series A funding round led by DADA Holdings. The company plans to use the funds to support its flagship Alpha small launch vehicle and expand its services.
Firefly Aerospace has been selected to develop an analytical framework for aggregated on-orbit spacecraft hubs in support of DARPA's 10-Year Lunar Architecture (LunA-10) capability study. The framework will enable the creation of scalable spacecraft hubs that can host and service spacecraft across cislunar space, providing responsive tasking for a wide range of services such as refueling, delivery, and transport.
Textron Aviation has entered service with its newest private jet model, the Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2, following FAA certification in October 2025. The aircraft features enhanced capabilities, including Garmin autothrottle technology and a fully customizable cabin environment.
The first image of Dassault's Falcon 10X has been published by Actu Aero, showing the fully assembled aircraft in its green anti-corrosion coating at Bordeaux-Merignac airport. The aircraft is reportedly undergoing ground tests ahead of its maiden flight, which is expected to take place in the coming weeks.
The first of four MC-55A Peregrine surveillance jets has arrived at RAAF Base Edinburgh, based on the Gulfstream G550 business jet. The aircraft is heavily modified for airborne surveillance and electronic warfare by L3Harris, according to a joint media release issued by Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy.
The first aircraft destined for Germany's PEGASUS airborne signals intelligence program has arrived in Hamburg, marking the start of system integration and certification work ahead of entry into service. The platform is based on the Bombardier Global 6000 business jet, which will undergo modification and mission-system installation at Lufthansa Technik (Credt: Lufthansa Technik).
Breaking Defense reporters look back on the most significant news stories of 2025 and forward to what 2026 may hold. The year saw notable changes in leadership, increased military activity near Alaska, and consideration of building new 'battleships'.
Breaking Defense reports on five stories that surprised the space world in 2025, including the ESA's new defense role, US loosening of counterspace ops rules, and a prize competition for SBI prototypes. The agency's billion-euro funding package signals a significant shift in its capabilities.