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Firefly Aerospace has signed an agreement worth more than 1.3 billion dollars to supply propulsion systems and engineering support for AST
SpaceMobile’s Blacklift heavy-lift rocket, giving the satellite operator a route towards greater control over its launch schedule.
The three-year partnership covers 36 engines for Blacklift’s first three rockets: 27 Miranda engines and nine vacuum-variant Vira engines. It also grants AST SpaceMobile a perpetual licence to manufacture the engines, while Firefly retains ownership of the intellectual property.
The companies disclosed a payment structure comprising approximately 800 million dollars in upfront consideration, split between 400 million dollars in cash and 10 million to 14 million shares of AST SpaceMobile’s Class A common stock. A further 250 million dollars is allocated for engine deliveries, with another 250 million dollars covering engineering services over three years. The share amount will be determined through a forward volume-weighted average price calculation.
AST SpaceMobile plans to build Blacklift as a reusable rocket capable of carrying up to five BlueBird satellites per launch. The company is targeting its first flight in late 2028, although the schedule remains a development target. Its network plan calls for a 248-satellite constellation designed to deliver broadband connectivity directly to standard mobile phones.
The rocket is intended to supplement, not replace, external launch services. AST says existing agreements cover more than 100 BlueBird satellites expected to be deployed during 2027 and 2028.
For Firefly, the contract provides funding to expand production, add engine test capacity at its Briggs, Texas, facility and increase hiring. The Miranda engine also supports the company’s Eclipse rocket programme, whose first launch is planned for 2027.
The agreement highlights efforts by satellite operators to secure launch capacity as demand for orbital deployment increases. It gives AST a path towards vertical integration while creating a production commitment for Firefly.
The three-year partnership covers 36 engines for Blacklift’s first three rockets: 27 Miranda engines and nine vacuum-variant Vira engines. It also grants AST SpaceMobile a perpetual licence to manufacture the engines, while Firefly retains ownership of the intellectual property.
The companies disclosed a payment structure comprising approximately 800 million dollars in upfront consideration, split between 400 million dollars in cash and 10 million to 14 million shares of AST SpaceMobile’s Class A common stock. A further 250 million dollars is allocated for engine deliveries, with another 250 million dollars covering engineering services over three years. The share amount will be determined through a forward volume-weighted average price calculation.
AST SpaceMobile plans to build Blacklift as a reusable rocket capable of carrying up to five BlueBird satellites per launch. The company is targeting its first flight in late 2028, although the schedule remains a development target. Its network plan calls for a 248-satellite constellation designed to deliver broadband connectivity directly to standard mobile phones.
The rocket is intended to supplement, not replace, external launch services. AST says existing agreements cover more than 100 BlueBird satellites expected to be deployed during 2027 and 2028.
For Firefly, the contract provides funding to expand production, add engine test capacity at its Briggs, Texas, facility and increase hiring. The Miranda engine also supports the company’s Eclipse rocket programme, whose first launch is planned for 2027.
The agreement highlights efforts by satellite operators to secure launch capacity as demand for orbital deployment increases. It gives AST a path towards vertical integration while creating a production commitment for Firefly.
