Firefly, SSC sign two-launch Alpha contract for Esrange

(SpaceEnergy) Firefly Aerospace has signed a contract with SSC Space for two Alpha rocket launches from Sweden’s Esrange Space Center, targeting missions no earlier than 2028.

SSC secured the full payload capacity of both missions and will allocate space to Swedish national-security customers and additional commercial rideshare customers. The agreement establishes contracted demand for Alpha launches from mainland Europe as Firefly and SSC develop Esrange as an additional operational base for the US launch vehicle.

Firefly said the companies have established the required transatlantic regulatory frameworks and completed the launch control centre, payload-processing facility, launch-vehicle integration building, tracking and control systems, and security and storage facilities at Launch Complex 3C. Final launch-pad construction is continuing.

“These first two missions are just the start of a long-term, multi-launch partnership with SSC Space,” Firefly chief executive Jason Kim said.

SSC chief executive and group president Charlotta Sund said adding orbital launch capability in mainland Europe would strengthen European commercial competitiveness, resilience and strategic autonomy.

The contract follows earlier infrastructure and regulatory work between Firefly and SSC and represents a commercial milestone for expanding utilisation of Firefly’s Alpha launch and propulsion system beyond its existing US launch sites.