SSC Space signs contract with Firefly Aerospace for two Alpha launches from Esrange Space Center in Sweden

The contract builds on momentum of long-term, multi-launch partnership delivering orbital launch capabilities from mainland Europe

SSC Space and Firefly Aerospace (Nasdaq: FLY), a market-leading space and defense technology company, today announced a multi-launch agreement for two Alpha rocket launches from Sweden’s Esrange Space Center, owned and operated by SSC Space. Targeted to launch in 2028, the missions will serve Sweden national security customers as well as additional commercial rideshare customers, marking a significant step forward in delivering orbital launch capabilities from mainland Europe.

"This contract validates the demand from European customers for long-awaited orbital launch capabilities directly from mainland Europe,” said Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. "These first two missions are just the start of a long-term, multi-launch partnership with SSC Space that will provide assured access to space for years to come with our proven Alpha rocket. As part of our 'launch as a franchise' model, this partnership serves the critical needs of SSC Space’s government and commercial customers and provides our nation and NATO allies with the launch site diversification required for resilient, responsive space missions.”

Under the multi-launch agreement, SSC Space secured the full payload capacity and can allocate payload space to its government and commercial customers, providing flexible accommodation and launch opportunities for the European satellite market.

The agreement builds on the momentum of Firefly and SSC Space’s partnership after recently establishing the required transatlantic regulatory frameworks and completing key infrastructure to launch Firefly’s Alpha rocket from Launch Complex 3C at Esrange Space Center. The latest infrastructure includes completion of the launch control center, payload processing facility, launch vehicle integration building, tracking and control systems, and security and storage facilities, as the two companies now progress through final pad construction.

"This agreement underscores the strategic value of the transatlantic space capabilities we are building together with Firefly," said Charlotta Sund, President and CEO of SSC Space. "Adding an orbital launch capability to mainland Europe strengthens the continent's capabilities and competitiveness in the commercial space arena, while contributing to greater resilience and strategic autonomy within the defense domain. As demand grows, we look forward to expanding this relationship with Firefly to serve our end customers over the long term and advance our shared space capabilities."

Read more in the most recent newsMeeting Next Critical Milestone for Orbital Launch.

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Media Contacts
SSC Space: Philip Ohlsson, Press & PR, +46 70 721 70 26, philip.ohlsson@sscspace.com
Firefly Aerospace: press@fireflyspace.com
 

About SSC Space
SSC Space (formerly Swedish Space Corporation) is a leading global provider of advanced space services, with more than 50 years of experience. We help space organizations, research institutes, commercial and institutional actors from all over the world to get access to space. With local presence on all continents and about 750 committed employees, we offer specialist expertise in satellite communications and satellite control services, spacecraft operations, rocket and balloon systems, launch services and flight test services, as well as engineering, operations and consultancy services for space missions. We enable successful space projects within Earth observation, telecommunications, security, meteorology, navigation and positioning, scientific research and other applications. Among our strongest assets are Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden, set out to be a leading provider of satellite launch services from mainland Europe, as well as one of the world’s largest commercial ground station networks for satellite communications. For more information, visitwww.sscspace.com.

About Firefly Aerospace
Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company on a mission to reliably and repeatedly launch, land, and operate space systems from Earth to the Moon and beyond. As the partner of choice for responsive space missions, Firefly is the first commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with approximately 24-hour notice and the first to achieve a successful landing on the Moon. Established in 2017, Firefly’s engineering, manufacturing, and test facilities are co-located in central Texas to enable rapid innovation and vertical integration for the company’s small- to medium-lift launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles. For more information, visitwww.fireflyspace.com.