Firefly Aerospace, Inc., a comprehensive space transportation firm, has announced a fresh collaboration with Xtenti, LLC, an inventive space logistics company. This partnership aims to carry out a responsive space mission by leveraging Firefly's orbital vehicle, Elytra, and Xtenti's small satellite dispenser, FANTM-RiDE™.

Set to launch in 2024, this mission aligns with Xtenti's ongoing study contract with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The objective is to showcase FANTM-RiDE's ability to quickly reconfigure payloads before being launched on Firefly's Alpha vehicle. Subsequently, it will perform multiple responsive on-orbit deployments using Elytra.

Bill Weber, CEO of Firefly Aerospace, expressed the company's pride in supporting this significant mission. He highlighted the advancement of the nation's responsive space capabilities and the introduction of Elytra, a vehicle addressing a gap in the on-orbit servicing sector. Weber underlined the operation's role in establishing Firefly's complete mission services, validating the company's capacity to launch, maneuver, and deploy satellites promptly, based on customer preferences.

Elytra, hosted by Firefly's Alpha, will utilize the FANTM-RiDE dispenser to first deploy commercial rideshare payloads in Sun-Synchronous Orbit. It will then execute an on-orbit maneuver and remain ready to deploy U.S. government payloads as needed. Formerly known as Firefly’s Space Utility Vehicle, Elytra presents a more robust vehicle line designed for swift on-orbit mobility, hosting, and services, catered to customers' specific requirements.

Dan Lim, President and CEO of Xtenti, emphasized the paradigm shift required for responsive space capabilities. He conveyed the enthusiasm to demonstrate FANTM-RiDE's game-changing features that enable rapid payload swaps, as well as on-orbit pre-positioning for prompt deployment. Lim highlighted FANTM-RiDE's capability to facilitate quick payload adjustments without compromising existing mission load analyses. It also facilitates interchangeable loaded dispensers among launch vehicles, ensuring efficient and secure on-orbit payload management.

This partnership marks Firefly's second responsive space venture, offering additional rideshare opportunities for commercial clients. Firefly is actively progressing towards final readiness milestones for its initial responsive space mission for the U.S. Space Force. Afterward, it will transition into the standby phase, awaiting a 24-hour launch notice.

fireflyspace.com