From CNBC: 2024-10-29 06:00:01

Jason Kim has taken the helm as CEO of Firefly Aerospace, a company with a growing spacecraft and lunar lander product line. Despite competition from SpaceX, ULA, Rocket Lab, and Blue Origin, Kim sees opportunities in the launch market for Firefly’s Alpha and MLV rockets, aiming to create new transportation possibilities in space.

Under Kim’s leadership, Firefly has launched its Alpha rocket five times successfully. The company also has plans to launch its Medium Launch Vehicle (MLV) in 2026, designed to carry up to 16,300 kilograms of payload to orbit. With a focus on scalability and innovation, Firefly aims to revolutionize the space transportation industry.

Firefly has a unique advantage with its Reaver engines powering the Alpha rockets, and the upcoming Miranda engine for the MLV. The company is also working on reusability for the MLV, similar to SpaceX’s approach with the Falcon 9. With plans for over 50 Alpha launches and a new lead investor, Firefly is poised for growth and expansion in the space market. Firefly Aerospace secured bulk orders from Lockheed Martin and L3Harris, with three launches planned for startup True Anomaly, including one for the Space Force’s Victus Haze mission. The company doubled Rocket Ranch’s footprint to 200,000 square feet and aims for four to six Alpha launches next year, scaling up for future growth.

Firefly Aerospace is set to launch its Blue Ghost lunar lander in December, part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program. The seven-foot-tall spacecraft will carry 10 research payloads to the moon. Firefly also has the Elytra line of space tugs, which Kim envisions evolving into a multi-mission constellation program in the next five years.

Kim, the new addition to Firefly Aerospace, emphasizes the importance of execution in company progress. He foresees Elytra becoming a significant part of Firefly’s offerings, providing constellation capabilities for various missions. With plans for continued growth and bolder initiatives, Firefly is focused on establishing a cadence of successful launches and services.



Read more at CNBC: Firefly Aerospace CEO Jason Kim is working ‘maniacally’ to scale