Lockheed Martin has signed an agreement with
Firefly Aerospace, Inc, for up to 25 launches on the latter’s Alpha rocket through 2029. Under this agreement, Firefly will routinely launch a variety of future Lockheed Martin spacecraft, including new payload technologies, into low-Earth orbit from Firefly’s facilities on the west and east coasts.
Lockheed Martin benefits from Firefly's lower-cost launch vehicle, which helps reduce risk for the company’s self-funded technology demonstration missions and paves the way for future efforts. The agreement also creates the benefits of a long-term partnership between the two companies will support continued growth and technology investment.
Bob Behnken, a director at Ignite Technology Acceleration at Lockheed Martin Space, said: “Our goal is to accelerate the delivery of new technology solutions that are flight proven and ready to carry out our customers’ critical space missions. Diversifying our options for launch services ensures our ability to prove out technologies we're developing on orbit. This agreement with Firefly solidifies our strategic partnership and will help us continue to deliver new advanced capabilities that keep our armed forces and allies ahead of ready.”
Firefly Aerospace CEO Bill Weber added: “Firefly appreciates Lockheed Martin's confidence in our rapid launch capability and support to drive critical missions for years to come. The Firefly team has scaled up Alpha production and testing, and significantly streamlined our launch operations to fly Alpha more frequently and responsively – enabling us to continue delivering the one metric ton rocket the industry demands.”
Lockheed Martin is developing payload technologies through internal investment to support a variety of mission areas, such as earth observation, global ubiquitous communications, climate monitoring and beyond.