[[Home|🏠]] <span style="color: LightSlateGray">></span> [[Partners]] <span style="color: LightSlateGray">></span> Firefly Aerospace
**Website**: https://fireflyspace.com/
>[!summary]
>Firefly Aerospace is an end-to-end responsive space company with launch, lunar, and on-orbit services. Headquartered in central Texas, Firefly is a portfolio company of [AE Industrial Partners (“AEI”)](https://www.aeroequity.com/) focused on delivering rapid, reliable, and affordable space access for government and commercial customers.
## 🌍 Missions
### Blue Ghost Mission 1
đź”— https://fireflyspace.com/missions/blue-ghost-mission-1/
Firefly’s Blue Ghost Mission 1, named Ghost Riders in the Sky, launched on January 15, 2025 and completed its 45-day Earth to Moon transit before softly touching down on the Moon on March 2, 2025.
Rocket Lab was selected as a subcontractor to provide [[MAX Flight Software]], [[MAX Ground Data System]] software, three high-efficiency photovoltaic assemblies for Blue Ghost Mission 1. During the Blue Ghost mission, the Rocket Lab team also supported Firefly’s execution of multiple burns and management of orbit determination and attitude control throughout the cruise and landing phases of the mission.
<div class="responsive-video">
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ChEuA1AUJAY" title="Firefly's Blue Ghost Mission 1 Lunar Landing" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div>
## đź“° News
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| File | Published |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------- |
| [[News/Rocket Lab Space Software Supports Lunar Landing for Firefly’s Blue Ghost 1 Mission.md\|Rocket Lab Space Software Supports Lunar Landing for Firefly’s Blue Ghost 1 Mission]] | March 03, 2025 |
| [[News/Firefly’s Blue Ghost Spacecraft Begins Journey to Moon, Supported by Rocket Lab Software and Components.md\|Firefly’s Blue Ghost Spacecraft Begins Journey to Moon, Supported by Rocket Lab Software and Components]] | January 23, 2025 |
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## đź’° Investors
1. [AE Industrial Partners (AEI)](https://www.aeroequity.com/):
A private equity firm specializing in aerospace, defense, and government services. AEI became Firefly’s majority investor in 2022 after acquiring a significant stake in the company. Their investment has helped stabilize and scale Firefly’s operations.
2. [Max Polyakov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Polyakov):
The founder of Noosphere Ventures, Max Polyakov was instrumental in Firefly's rebirth after its 2017 bankruptcy. Through Noosphere Ventures, Polyakov provided the financial backing and strategic guidance that enabled Firefly to redevelop its Alpha rocket and re-enter the market. He exited his stake in 2022 under U.S. government pressure related to national security concerns.
3. [[Northrop Grumman]]:
A strategic investor and partner, Northrop Grumman has collaborated with Firefly on projects like the Antares rocket upgrade and other space technologies. While not a traditional venture capital investor, their partnership brings both funding and technical expertise.
4. [[NASA]]:
Although not an equity investor, NASA has provided significant funding to Firefly through contracts under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. These contracts support the development of Firefly’s Blue Ghost lunar lander.
Other Notable Mentions:
**Private Equity and Venture Capital Firms:** Additional undisclosed investors have likely contributed during funding rounds, supporting Firefly's growth and infrastructure development.