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 low Earth orbit for cargo resupply, national security, and commercial missions. Designed to support 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 Antares and Alpha

MLV is built upon the success of Antares and Alpha with a significant leap in power, performance, and payload capacity. Firefly scaled up the flight-proven technologies from its Alpha rocket, including the carbon composite structures and tap-off cycle engines, to rapidly build and test MLV with significant production efficiencies and reliability. The rocket also retains flight-proven systems from the Antares program with additional upgrades, including a larger 5 m-class 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 late 2025. 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.