Lockheed Martin Jalin Deal With Firefly Aerospace For 25 Launches Of Alpha Rocket

Lockheed Martin contracts Firefly Aerospace for Alpha rocket launch (photo: x @Firefly_Space)

JAKARTA - Lockheed Martin has signed a purchase agreement with Firefly Aerospace for up to 25 Alpha rocket launches by 2029. This was said by the US defense contractor on Wednesday, June 5.

Texas-based Firefly manufactures small and medium-sized launch vehicles for commercial launch into orbit. Its small launch vehicle, Alpha, will fly the spacecraft and Lockheed payloads into low-Earth orbit from its facilities on the west and east coast, Lockheed said.

The companies did not disclose the financial details of the deal. These lower-cost launch vehicles will help reduce the risk for Lockheed's self-funded technology demonstration missions, the company added.

Profit in its space division surged in the last quarter, driven by higher launch volume at the United Launch Alliance, their joint venture with aircraft maker Boeing. Boeing and Lockheed merged their rocket program in 2006 and are trying to sell the joint venture, according to media reports.