Firefly Aerospace performed the primary scorching hearth check of its new Miranda rocket engine, producing an enormous plume of inexperienced flames.
Firefly’s Miranda engine is slated for use on the primary stage of Northrop Grumman’s Antares 330 rocket in addition to the Medium Launch Automobile (MLV) the 2 firms are growing collectively. The Antares 330 rocket is designed to hold greater than 22,000 lbs of cargo to the Worldwide Area Station (10,000 kg), whereas the MLV will be capable to loft 35,000 lbs (16,000 kg) of payload to low Earth orbit.
The Antares 330/MLV is slated to switch the Antares 230, which used Russian rocket engines and Ukrainian-built first levels. On account of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Northrop Grumman introduced in 2022 that it could develop a completely home model of the rocket together with the brand new MLV. The primary flight of the Antares 330 is presently projected to happen in mid-2025, whereas the MLV’s maiden voyage ought to observe in late 2025.
Associated: Northrop Grumman picks Firefly to switch Russian engines on Antares rocket
Northrop Grumman management is already touting the brand new rocket as a game-changer in the case of fast launch capabilities, a feat Firefly Aerospace has already confirmed able to.
“Collectively, we have now developed an answer that can assist change the trajectory of house launch, from industrial to nationwide safety and civil house,” mentioned Scott Lehr, vp of launch and missile protection techniques at Northrop Grumman, in a press assertion. “Upgrading the primary stage of Antares in parallel with growing the Medium Launch Automobile permits our two firms to carry a brand new launch automobile to market extra quickly whereas additionally lowering threat within the design course of.”
In September 2023, Firefly Aerospace launched the “Victus Nox” mission on behalf of the U.S. Area Pressure that set a brand new responsive launch report by placing a payload in orbit with simply 27 hours of discover.
Firefly can also be growing a moon lander known as the Blue Ghost. NASA tapped the lander for a scientific mission to the lunar far aspect in 2026.
Firefly occurs to share its title with a cult favourite TV collection a couple of ragtag crew of mercenaries touring by means of house collectively. The title of its new engine, Miranda, occurs to even be the title of planet that performs a central function within the lore of the “Firefly” franchise.
Firefly Aerospace’s earlier Alpha launch automobile was powered by the Reaver engine; “Reavers” simply occur to even be one of many most important protagonists within the “Firefly” TV collection and spin-off movie, “Serenity.”
