Cedar Park aerospace firm earns Space Force contract | Firefly to launch new mission for military

By Karoline Leonard | Austin American-Statesman | USA TODAY NETWORK

A Cedar Park-based aerospace company was awarded a $21.81 million contract to launch a U.S. Space Force mission, the company has announced.

Firefly Aerospace will launch Space Force’s Space Systems Command’s newest tactically responsive space mission, named VICTUS SOL. An 'early operational capability,' VICTUS SOL is intended to aid in response to on-orbit needs and flexibility for commanders, according to a release Friday from Firefly.

'The VICTUS SOL launch will provide the operational capability to have a launch vehicle and space vehicle on standby while we continue to launch other commercial and government missions until we’re called up by the Space Force,' said Firefly CEO Jason Kim in the announcement. 'We’re further improving our readiness to provide a rapid response capability.'

The VICTUS SOL mission will be the third Space Force tactically responsive space mission to be aboard Firefly’s Alpha rocket. Firefly announced in October that it would aid in the upcoming VICTUS HAZE launch, building off of its 2023 mission VICTUS NOX. The goal of these missions is to rapidly launch and respond to on-orbit needs due to conflicts or national security threats.

These missions require Firefly to keep an Alpha rocket on standby and launch within 24 hours of notice from Space Force. The time of this launch is currently unknown.

'As our country’s deterrence and responsive space needs grow exponentially, Firefly has ramped up our Alpha production line to meet that demand and provide flexibility to support the Space Force’s urgent needs that keep us ahead of the game,' Kim said.

Along with its partnerships with Space Force, Firefly is currently partnered with NASA’s Blue Ghost mission. Launching in January, Firefly designed the lunar lander that the agency is using on its mission to bring 10 science and technology instruments to the moon. The mission is part of NASA’s preparations to take humans back to the moon. Blue Ghost is planned to land on the Moon in early March.

Photo: Firefly Aerospace completed a mission for the U.S. Space Force in September 2023, successfully launching its 95-foot-long flagship rocket, called Alpha, as well as a payload with just 24 hours’ notice. Firefly’s next such mission also requires Firefly to keep an Alpha rocket on standby and launch within 24 hours of notice. Provided by Firefly Aerospace