What Happened
Northrop Grumman Partners with Firefly to Advance Eclipse Launch Capability
Northrop Grumman has invested $50 million in Firefly Aerospace to further develop the Eclipse medium launch vehicle. The companies are working together to advance the vehicle’s flight hardware, which has already undergone over 60 Miranda engine hot fire tests. Eclipse is expected to support a range of missions, including space station resupply, commercial spacecraft, and critical national security missions. The launch vehicle will have a 16 metric ton to orbit capability and will first launch from Wallops Island, Virginia, as early as 2026. The partnership between Northrop Grumman and Firefly may signal a shift towards more collaborative development in the launch industry.