Apr 9, 2025

Texas-based Firefly Aerospace has secured a new contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to support orbital missions using its Elytra Dawn spacecraft. The contract is part of the Sinequone Project, a three-phase initiative led by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) aimed at establishing “cost-effective, responsive access” to space regions beyond geosynchronous orbit (xGEO). The broader objective of the project is to address growing space-based challenges by enabling the rapid deployment of technologies through on-demand products and services. The latest contract marks Firefly’s advancement to Phase 2 of the program, during which the company will demonstrate Elytra’s maneuverability in low-Earth orbit (LEO). This mission is expected to yield key performance insights that will guide Phase 3—a delivery demonstration to more distant cislunar space, where lunar and deep-space operations are becoming increasingly strategic for national security and commercial interests. Modular spacecraft payload design According to Firefly, this first Elytra mission to LEO will serve as a critical foundation for future missions beyond geosynchronous orbit. The vehicle’s design and capabilities will be evaluated for responsiveness, flexibility, and adaptability in rapidly evolving space environments. Under the terms of the deal, Elytra Dawn will carry out a series of orbital tasks, including space domain awareness operations, a key priority for the Department of Defense as it monitors increasing satellite activity and potential threats in LEO. The spacecraft will carry a combination of optical and infrared cameras, navigation units, and other electrical payloads with modular interfaces. To meet the mission’s complex technical demands, Firefly will draw on components from its existing ecosystem of technologies. These include elements from its Alpha launch vehicles, Blue Ghost lunar landers, avionics, and propulsion systems. The spacecraft’s Spectre engine, which will power Elytra, was previously used as the reaction control system during the Blue Ghost’s descent to the Moon. Growing defense footprint The first Elytra launch is expected to take place later this year in support of a responsive on-orbit demonstration for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)—a key customer for advanced surveillance and space infrastructure capabilities. In February, Firefly also received a grant to expand its manufacturing base in Texas, further supporting the state’s growing aerospace and defense sector while helping the company ramp up production capacity for the Elytra program. The current award is expected to accelerate production of the spacecraft at reduced costs, enabling support for a variety of mission needs, including on- orbit payload hosting, maneuverability, long-haul communications relays, and responsive tasking across multiple orbits. Firefly has already demonstrated strong credentials in tactically responsive space. Its Alpha rocket was used in the fall of 2023 for the VICTUS NOX mission and is contracted for upcoming missions VICTUS HAZE and VICTUS SOL for the U.S. Space Force. “Firefly has proven our ability to rapidly and reliably launch, land, and operate in space as we continue to execute bold missions from LEO to lunar orbit and beyond,” said Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. “This national security mission will further demonstrate our ability to perform responsive on-orbit tasks when and where our customers need them with our highly maneuverable Elytra orbital vehicle.” RECOMMENDED ARTICLES 0COMMENT ABOUT THE EDITOR Neetika Walter With over a decade-long career in journalism, Neetika Walter has worked with The Economic Times, ANI, and Hindustan Times, covering politics, business, technology, and the clean energy sector. Passionate about contemporary culture, books, poetry, and storytelling, she brings depth and insight to her writing. When she isn’t chasing stories, she’s likely lost in a book or enjoying the company of her dogs. NEWSLETTER