Max Polyakov and Firefly Aerospace Announce Success of Funding Drive in Anticipation of First Launch
2021 is proving to be a very good year for Firefly Aerospace. It’s already announced a new $93 million partnership with NASA to deliver a payload to the Moon as the space leader expands its lunar program. Now, investor and Noosphere Ventures owner Max Polyakov has announced that the firm has generated $75 million from its latest funding drive from an intriguing set of new partners. The company won’t be celebrating just yet, however, as its attention will be concentrated on the launch of its very first rocket next month. Scheduled to fly from California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base, the mission’s success will be instrumental in helping Max Polyakov and Firefly Aerospace secure a further $300 million from investors before the year is over.
Alpha Rocket Preparing for First Launch
The company’s hopes will be pinned to its Alpha model rocket with a capacity for payloads of up to 2,200 lbs. This places it among the medium rockets of the commercial space sector, between the larger designs of SpaceX and the smaller craft developed by firms like Rocket Lab. The craft will be transporting several CubeSat satellites on behalf of commercial clients that will be fired into Low Earth orbit. It looks to be a moment of truth for the business, which was in danger of bankruptcy in 2017 before Max Polyakov stepped in to rescue it. Should the launch be successful, it will announce Firefly Aerospace’s arrival as a major new player in the industry. It will also be of significant help with future rounds of funding which will help the firm achieve its not inconsiderable ambitions moving forward.
Preparations Falling into Place for Maiden Flight
Should the June launch succeed without issue, the company is determined to have a much faster turnaround on its second mission as soon as October later in the year. Other projects in development include the Blue Ghost craft for the NASA deal, scheduled for launch in 2023, and even a reusable space plane project. For now, though, everything awaits the launch in June. The coronavirus pandemic had forced Firefly Aerospace to move its schedule back, and the firm still awaits delivery of a component critical to the failsafe system functioning. Once the parts arrive, Firefly can attempt to get its first rocket off the ground. Until then, the firm plans for a static test launch of the Alpha rocket while it’s tethered to the launch pad so its systems can be safely trialed. After that, the launch itself is going to happen, and the company will find out if it’ll be taking its place as a leading player in the space sector.
