Ibadan, 11 November 2026. – Synspective has selected Firefly Aerospace to provide up to 10 dedicated launches of its Alpha rocket, carrying as many as 20 StriX synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites through 2030. The agreement will support the Japanese Earth-observation company’s efforts to expand its satellite constellation and increase the frequency of its observations.
Expanding the StriX constellation
The launches will use Firefly’s Alpha Block II vehicle, with missions departing from Pad-0A at Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia and Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Each mission will carry two StriX satellites, while access to launch sites on both US coasts gives Synspective greater flexibility in reaching different orbital inclinations as it expands its constellation.
Synspective operates the StriX constellation to provide Earth-observation data using synthetic aperture radar (SAR), which enables satellites to image the Earth’s surface day and night, including through cloud cover. The satellites use X-band radar to capture information about terrain and surface structures, with successive observations allowing changes to be monitored over time. Each StriX satellite belongs to the 100-kilogram class, making it suitable for deployment aboard small launch vehicles such as Firefly’s Alpha.
Building a diversified launch portfolio
The Firefly agreement adds to Synspective’s expanding portfolio of launch partnerships as it seeks to secure the capacity needed to scale its StriX constellation. The company has been launching with Rocket Lab since 2020 and signed an agreement in September 2026 for 20 additional dedicated Electron launches between 2028 and 2031. The deal brings its total contracted Electron missions to 47, of which 13 had already been completed.
Synspective has also contracted Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to launch two StriX satellites aboard Japan’s H3 rocket in 2027. The mission will target a mid-inclination orbit to support frequent observations of major economic centres and disaster-prone regions, including across the Asia-Pacific.
“Scaling our constellation at the pace our customers demand requires a diverse and resilient set of launch partners. Firefly has shown real commitment, working through the hard realities of developing a new launch vehicle and steadily building a track record with Alpha. We’re delighted to partner with a team that shares that kind of determination,” said Dr. Motoyuki Arai, Founder and CEO of Synspective.
“Alpha’s payload class suits our upcoming satellites, and its dual-coast access gives us valuable flexibility across orbital inclinations. Adding Firefly to our launch portfolio strengthens our ability to accelerate deployment and deliver resilient service to our customers.”
Firefly adds another commercial customer
For Firefly, the agreement adds another international commercial customer to its Alpha launch program as the company works to establish the rocket’s upgraded Block II configuration. The contract provides a potential pipeline of missions through 2030 and an opportunity to strengthen Alpha’s position in the commercial small-satellite launch market. The agreement also comes as Firefly ramps up production of the upgraded vehicle, which is designed to improve reliability, streamline manufacturing and support a higher launch cadence.
Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace, described the multi-launch agreement as a reflection of growing customer confidence in the company’s Alpha Block II vehicle:
“We’re proud to onboard Synspective as a long-term customer and accelerate their ability to rapidly scale their constellation. With 1-ton payload capacity and responsive launch capabilities, Alpha is a natural fit for customers like Synspective seeking direct access to orbit to get their operations up and running sooner.”
