Lockheed Martin eyes mid-2025 launch for its mid-size satellite platform
The planned demonstration mission in low Earth orbit, carrying a communications payload, comes after a three-year development period marked by supply chain disruptions.
The planned demonstration mission in low Earth orbit, carrying a communications payload, comes after a three-year development period marked by supply chain disruptions.
NASA and NOAA will work with commercial partners to design and build the networks spacecraft and instruments.
Kim joins Firefly from Millennium Space, a Boeing subsidiary specialising in small satellites primarily for US government agencies, where he served as CEO.
The missions will launch L3Harris spacecraft into Low-Earth Orbit from Firefly's SLC-2 launch site at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Firefly board member Peter Schumacher will serve as interim CEO while the board initiates a search.
The NRO created the contract vehicle, Streamlined Launch Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity Contract, to procure commercial launch services for its more risk-tolerant missions.
Lockheed Martin's upcoming technology demonstration is designed to showcase a highly producible electronically steerable antenna on orbit.
Alexander has joined Firefly with more than 30 years of aerospace experience, including senior advisor and leadership roles at NASA, the White House, and NewSpace companies.
The agreement is to launch a Lockheed Martin technology demonstration mission.
In order to manufacture orbital transfer vehicles, Firefly plans to retain Spaceflight's Bellevue, Washington, payload processing facility.
The new version of the Antares, called the Antares 330, will feature the first stage using seven Miranda engines under development by Firefly.
The new funding round will support design work on a medium-class launch vehicle, called Beta.