https://spacewatch.global/tag/bill-weber/ AN INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVE ON SPACE Wed, 03 Jul 2024 06:00:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 https://spacewatch.global/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SpaceWatchGlobal-Sign-90x90.png https://spacewatch.global/tag/bill-weber/ 32 32 https://spacewatch.global/2024/07/ssc-and-firefly-aerospace-to-launch-rockets-from-esrange/ Wed, 03 Jul 2024 06:00:34 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=55921 Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) and U.S. space transportation company Firefly Aerospace have signed a collaborative agreement to jointly launch satellites with Firefly’s Alpha rocket from the newly inaugurated spaceport at Esrange Space Center in Sweden, starting in 2026. Together, Firefly and SSC are establishing an orbital launch service in Europe with a flight-proven launch vehicle, supporting commercial, civil, and defense customers.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/03/firefly-aerospace-to-demonstrate-launch-and-on-orbit-services/ Fri, 22 Mar 2024 07:00:18 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=54277 Firefly Aerospace, Inc. has signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense's (DoD) Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to conduct a trade study on its capabilities to rapidly launch Firefly's Elytra vehicles and support missions beyond Geosynchronous Orbit, referred to as xGEO. Once complete, the trade study will provide the groundwork for up to two Firefly demonstration missions that will advance the DoD's responsive access to xGEO.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/03/firefly-aerospace-expands-to-support-medium-launch-vehicle/ Mon, 04 Mar 2024 07:00:21 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=53961 Firefly Aerospace, Inc., an end-to-end space transportation Company, has opened a Rocket Ranch expansion in Briggs, Texas, more than doubling the size of its manufacturing facilities. The space transportation Company also added two new test stands and installed machinery to support the production of Northrop Grumman’s Antares 330 and the Medium Launch Vehicle (MLV) the companies are co-developing together.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/11/firefly-aerospace-closes-third-tranche-of-series-c-round/ Mon, 20 Nov 2023 07:00:09 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=52389 Firefly Aerospace, Inc. has announced the closing of another tranche of financing, valuing the company at $1.5 billion pre-money. Existing investors led the round, including AE Industrial Partners, LP, as well as new investors, including Mitsui & Co., Ltd. Firefly has consequently raised approximately $300 million in funding since February 2023.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/09/firefly-aerospace-awarded-multi-launch-agreement-with-l3harris/ Wed, 06 Sep 2023 06:00:42 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=50892 Firefly Aerospace, Inc. announced it signed a multi-launch agreement with L3Harris Technologies [NYSE: LHX] for three dedicated launches on Firefly's Alpha vehicle in 2026. The agreement further encourages Firefly, a small-lift launch services company, to ramp up production of its Alpha vehicle to support the growing needs of both Government and commercial customers. Firefly will provide rapid launch capabilities for L3Harris to achieve direct access to low Earth orbit at a lower cost and support the responsive space needs of the U.S. Government. The three missions will launch from Firefly's SLC-2 launch site at the Vandenberg Space Force Base.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/07/firefly-aerospace-partners-lockheed-martin-for-launch-services/ Mon, 03 Jul 2023 06:00:18 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=49747 Firefly Aerospace, Inc. has announced it signed a launch agreement with Lockheed Martin to support a technology demonstration mission that will launch aboard Firefly's Alpha vehicle. This is as Firefly's Alpha rocket provides launch services with the capability to lift more than 1,000 kg to low Earth orbit. The vehicle utilizes Firefly's patented tap-off cycle propulsion technology and carbon composite sandwich structures to reduce mass and costs and improve strength and reliability.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/06/firefly-aerospace-acquires-spaceflight-inc/ Mon, 12 Jun 2023 06:00:26 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=49355 Firefly Aerospace has announced the acquisition of Spaceflight Inc. to strengthen Firefly’s on-orbit solutions and service the entire lifecycle of customers’ satellites and spacecraft. The acquisition further supports Firefly’s robust portfolio of low-cost space transportation services, including responsive launch and in-space mobility, on-orbit hosting and servicing, and lunar delivery operations. However, the announcement did not disclose the terms of the transaction.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/10/firefly-aerospace-reaches-orbit-adds-james-bridenstine-to-its-advisory-board/ Wed, 26 Oct 2022 06:00:44 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=44234 Firefly Aerospace, a launch, spacecraft, and in-space services company, has announced that its Alpha FLTA002 mission successfully reached orbit and deployed customer payloads and that former NASA Administrator James Bridenstine would be joining the Company’s Advisory Board. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/10/firefly-aerospace-adds-chris-emerson-to-board-of-directors/ Mon, 24 Oct 2022 06:00:39 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=44193 Firefly Aerospace, a launch, spacecraft, and in-space services company, has announced the addition of Chris Emerson, a seasoned industry leader with decades of aerospace expertise, to the Company’s Board of Directors, effective immediately]]>