Northrop Grumman pumps $50M into Firefly for medium launch vehicle
"With a 16 metric ton to orbit capability, Eclipse is a sweet spot for programs like NSSL Lane 1 and a natural fit to launch proliferated constellations," said Firefly CEO Jason Kim.
"With a 16 metric ton to orbit capability, Eclipse is a sweet spot for programs like NSSL Lane 1 and a natural fit to launch proliferated constellations," said Firefly CEO Jason Kim.
A spokesperson for Space System Command's Space Safari office told Breaking Defense that the Victus Sol launch date, payload type, capability requirements and mission objective "will not be disclosed at this time in accordance with mission requirements."
The language used by MoD to describe the strategy's motivations echo those long used by the US Defense Department — for example, citing the fact that space is "increasingly competitive and contested" putting national space systems at risk.
Firefly is already on contract and will "support a responsive on-orbit mission for the NRO" using the Alpha small launcher and its Elytra on-orbit vehicle for hosting payloads.
Interested companies have until Dec. 15 to respond to the service's dual requests for proposals: one for the critical, high-dollar NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 launches; and the other for Lane 1 small launches.
"This mission highlights significant progress towards meeting emerging challenges in space,” said Lt. Col. MacKenzie Birchenough, materiel leader for SSC's Space Safari office.
Michigan’s defense ecosystem and expertise makes it a special asset for production.
The program, called Victus Haze, builds on the on-going Space Systems Command Victus Nox mission to rapidly launch a prototype satellite for keeping tabs on objects in low Earth orbit.
"It's challenging. It's not the status quo. We're pushing the envelope with the Space Force," Millennium CEO Jason Kim told Breaking Defense.
“I think now's the time where we need to figure out what is tactically responsive space, and I don't think there's a clear consensus,” said Kurt Eberly, who directs Northrop Grumman’s space launch vehicles business unit.
"Firefly Alpha will provide a unique capability to the US Government that is not currently available: a 1,000 kg to orbit, commercial, domestic, launch vehicle that can be used for a wide variety of missions," says Firefly spokesperson Kim Jennett.