Cedar Park Aerospace Firm To Launch Airbus Satellites

CEDAR PARK, TEXAS —Firefly Aerospace, Inc., a Cedar Park-based provider of economical and dependable launch vehicles, spacecraft and in-space services, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus Defence and Space to develop new space launch solutions for Airbus customers, company officials announced on Tuesday.

“Firefly is pleased to enter into an MOU with Airbus to formulate an integrated market offering that will provide Airbus customers rapid deployment of Airbus manufactured satellites,” Firefly CEO Dr. Tom Markusic confirmed in a prepared statement. “We are very impressed by the versatility and low cost of the Airbus ARROW platform and Airbus’s investment in leading edge satellite mass production capabilities.

The pact yields a launching pad for the Cedar Park firm to provide satellite launches for the big European aerospace company, Markusic added: "We look forward to working closely with Airbus to bring economical launch solutions to their customers. This initial MOU covering several launches is the first step of a long-term relationship which will provide Airbus customers the highest level of flexibility for their small satellite launches.”

Frederic Sotenberg, Head of constellations Launch Solutions at Airbus Space Systems,added: “Our partnership with Firefly will provide launch options with direct access to specific orbits, flexibility, and short notice. The Alpha vehicle addresses an unmet need in small satellite launch and will provide a further option for our customers in addition to legacy medium and large launchers in Europe.”

Les Kovacs, Firefly Vice President of Business Development, explained the aim of the partnership: “This flexibility will enable rapid deployment of and replenishment of Airbus customer constellations. We look forward to working closely with Airbus to develop integrated solutions that accelerate the global small satellite revolution and the commercialization of cis-lunar space.”

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The MOU signing is the latest deal to be signed by the Cedar Park aerospace firm that continues to make strides in its high-flying industry. In October 2018, the company signed a similar MOU with York Space Systems for the development of integrated launch services and spacecraft mission solutions. Earlier last year in May, the company announced an agreement with the U.S. Air Force to use a California launching pad for launch of its commercial rocket.

Last summer, Firefly officials announced an agreement to use its Alpha rocket to deploy satellites for Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., officials said in June. The deal calls for up to six launches between 2020 and 2022, officials said. SSTL, a spin-off company from the University of Surrey, is now majority-owned by Airbus. In November, Firefly was tapped by NASA for award of a commercial lunar payload services (CLPS) contract. The principal aim of the CLPS program is to acquire end-to-end commercial payload services between the Earth and lunar surface for NASA headquarters' Science, Human Exploration and Operations and Space Technology Mission Directorates units.

The local aerospace company's recent string of hits caught the attention of the University of Texas at Austin, where the Firefly Academy now offers students a chance to design, develop and assemble an industrial-size rocket capable of launching to the edge of space. The nonprofit organization was launched via a $1 million contribution by Firefly, as company officials announced in December.

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