Launch

Medium Launch Vehicle

Launch With Us

Next Generation Medium Launch Vehicle

Firefly Aerospace and Northrop Grumman are co-developing a new medium launch vehicle (MLV) that combines the best technologies, systems, and mission experience from both companies to fill a void in the global launch market. MLV will first launch from Virginia’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) with the ability to lift more than 16,000 kg to orbit in support of space station resupply missions, commercial spacecraft, national security missions, and scientific payloads for the domestic and international market. Designed for reusability, MLV is optimized for return to launch site (RTLS) and propulsive landing of the first stage.

Performance

  • Payload LEO

    16,300 kg

  • Payload GTO

    3,200 kg

  • Payload TLI

    2,300 kg

Dimensions

  • Overall Length

    55.7 m

    182.7 ft

  • Fairing Diameter

    5.4 m

    14.8 ft

Propulsion

  • Propellant

    LOX / RP–1

  • PROPELLANT FEED

    Turbopump

  • COMBUSTION

    Tap-off cycle

Firefly Medium Launch Vehicle

Stage 1

  • ENGINE

    7x Miranda

  • THRUST (VAC)

    7,161 kN

    1,610,000 lbf

  • ISP (VAC)

    305 sec

Stage 2

  • ENGINE

    1x Vira

  • THRUST (VAC)

    890 kN

    200,000 lbf

  • ISP (VAC)

    328 sec

Built on the Success of Alpha and Antares

MLV is built upon the success of Firefly’s Alpha and Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket with a significant leap in power, performance, and payload capacity. The launch vehicle utilizes scaled-up versions of Alpha’s patented tap-off cycle engines and carbon composite structures to reduce mass and lower costs while improving performance and reliability. MLV also retains the flight-proven avionics from the Antares program with additional upgrades, including a larger 5.4 meter payload fairing.

Firefly - MLV Stage 1 Dev Barrell

Carbon Composite Structures

High-strength, lightweight carbon composite airframe and tanks reduce vehicle mass and lift heavier payloads at a lower cost.

Firefly - MLV Miranda Mission Duty Cycle Hot Fire

Patented Propulsion Technologies

Patented tap-off cycle architecture removes the need for excess engine components to reduce complexity and improve reliability.

MLV Fairing - Rendering

Custom Payload Accommodations

Customizable 5 m-class fairing to support commercial, civil, national security, and international missions.

Firefly - MLV Automated Fiber Placement Machinery

Co-Located Manufacturing & Testing

Manufacturing and testing co-located at Firefly's Texas Rocket Ranch to accelerate vehicle production.

Firefly - MLV Stage 1 Dev Barrell

Carbon Composite Structures

High-strength, lightweight carbon composite airframe and tanks reduce vehicle mass and lift heavier payloads at a lower cost.

Firefly - MLV Miranda Mission Duty Cycle Hot Fire

Patented Propulsion Technologies

Patented tap-off cycle architecture removes the need for excess engine components to reduce complexity and improve reliability.

MLV Fairing - Rendering

Custom Payload Accommodations

Customizable 5 m-class fairing to support commercial, civil, national security, and international missions.

Firefly - MLV Automated Fiber Placement Machinery

Co-Located Manufacturing & Testing

Manufacturing and testing co-located at Firefly's Texas Rocket Ranch to accelerate vehicle production.

Launch on MLV

MLV manufacturing and testing is well underway with the first flight scheduled to launch as early as 2026. Get in touch to learn more about our MLV launch services.

MLV Progress

Miranda mission duty cycle complete with a 206 second hot fire, matching the longest engine burn during flight.