SSTL awards LSA to Firefly Aerospace
Firefly Aerospace, Inc. (Firefly), a developer of orbital launch vehicles for the small to medium satellite market,has announced the execution of a Launch Services Agreement (LSA) with Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) for use of the Firefly Alpha launch vehicle.
Above:
SSTL’s Kepler technical facility adjacent to Tycho House on the Surrey Research Park.
"Firefly is pleased to enter into an LSA with SSTL to provide up to six Alpha launches from 2020 through 2022," said Firefly CEO Dr. Tom Markusic. "The Alpha launch vehicle allows for deployment of SSTL satellites as a primary payload to their preferred orbit, rather than flying as a secondary payload on a larger launch vehicle."
Sarah Parker, SSTL Managing Director, said, "SSTL is delighted to be the first Firefly Aerospace customer to sign an LSA. Our new partnership with Firefly assures SSTL customers convenient, dependable access to space, with certainty of launch opportunities. Starting with CARBONITE-4 in early 2020, we look forward to launching many successful missions together."
Dr. Max Polyakov, Firefly Co-founder, added that, "The Firefly Alpha programme is on schedule for our first launch in the third quarter of 2019. Our mass production processes will enable eight Alpha flights in 2020 and eighteen flights in 2021.
"This launch cadence will allow Firefly to support missions from SSTL and the many other customers that have expressed interest in the Alpha launch vehicle. Firefly is excited to join with SSTL in opening space to a new generation of entrepreneurs."