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Firefly Aerospace Signs $1.3B Engine Deal for AST SpaceMobile's Blacklift

November 8, 2026

1 min read

Key Takeaways

Firefly Aerospace signs $1.3 billion engine deal with AST SpaceMobile.
Deal includes supply of 27 Miranda engines and 9 Vira engines.
Engines are for AST SpaceMobile's new Blacklift rocket.
AST SpaceMobile targets late 2028 for Blacklift's debut launch.

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Strategic Implications

This deal may indicate a shift in the satellite industry towards securing reliable launch capabilities. The partnership between Firefly Aerospace and AST SpaceMobile suggests a growing trend of satellite companies investing in their own launch infrastructure, which could reduce dependence on third-party rockets and increase launch flexibility.

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What Happened

Major Engine Supply Agreement Boosts Satellite Constellation Plans

Firefly Aerospace has signed a $1.3 billion deal to supply engines for AST SpaceMobile’s new Blacklift rocket, marking a significant investment in the satellite company’s plans to deploy a global cellular broadband network. The agreement includes the supply of 27 Miranda engines and 9 Vira engines for the first three Blacklift rockets, with AST SpaceMobile targeting a late 2028 debut launch. This development was first reported by Reuters.

Source | Originally Published: November 8, 2026

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