US Defense Giant Backs Small-Boothed Space Startup

Northrop Grumman Corporation has invested $50 million into Firefly Aerospace to further advance production of their co-developed medium launch vehicle, Eclipse. With a 16 metric ton to orbit capability, Eclipse is expected to support space station resupply, commercial spacecraft, critical national security missions and scientific payloads for the domestic and international markets. The companies continue to make progress in the development of Eclipse flight hardware with qualification testing underway. According to Firefly Aerospace CEO Jason Kim, the partnership represents two powerful forces coming together to transform the launch market with decades of flight heritage, a rapid, iterative approach, and bold innovation.