Digital rendition of the Firefly Alpha rocket. Photo: Firefly

Firefly Aerospace and Adaptive Launch Solutions (ALS) have signed a multi-year launch services agreement that includes four Alpha launches beginning in 2021. ALS, which designs multi-manifest hardware, avionics, and sequencers, will be the launch service provider for the second and third Alpha flights, planned for 2021. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

Firefly is preparing for the first launch of its Alpha vehicle in early 2021. Acceptance testing of both Stage 1 and Stage 2 for the first flight have been completed, and Firefly’s Vandenberg Air Force Base Space Launch Complex 2 launch site in California is nearing completion and activation.

“Small launch provides small satellite owners right sized, right priced access to space meeting their program and business goals,” ALS CEO Phil Smith commented. “Our agreement with Firefly Aerospace will provide the flexibility and responsiveness demanded by government operators and commercial owners.”