Firefly's flight-proven Alpha is a small-lift launch vehicle in the ~1,000 kg-to-orbit class for dedicated and rideshare small-satellite missions.
Alpha is Firefly Aerospace's operational small-lift orbital launch vehicle, marketed as the only operational U.S. rocket in the 1,000 kg class, with responsive/rapid launch positioning. The Launch family also covers Eclipse (a scaled-up, reusable Alpha derivative developed with Northrop Grumman targeting ~16,000 kg to orbit) and Responsive Space launch service.
Upcoming Alpha missions are booked for Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Space Force, and NASA, and the vehicle serves both dedicated and rideshare small-satellite missions.
| Attribute | Alpha | Electron | Falcon 9 | Hanbit-Nano | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provider |  |  |  |  | |
| Founded | 2017 | 2006 | 2002 | 2017 | |
| Sells To | Enterprise | Enterprise, Government | Enterprise, Government | — | |
| Pricing Model | Transactional | Software, Transactional | Software, Transactional | — | |
| Ownership | Venture-backed | Public | Private, Venture-backed | Public |
Provider
Founded 2017
Sells To Enterprise
Pricing Model Transactional
Ownership Venture-backed
Provider
Founded 2006
Sells To Enterprise, Government
Pricing Model Software, Transactional
Ownership Public
Provider
Founded 2002
Sells To Enterprise, Government
Pricing Model Software, Transactional
Ownership Private, Venture-backed
Provider
Founded 2017
Sells To —
Pricing Model —
Ownership Public
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Ariane 6 is Arianespace next-generation European launcher for institutional and commercial missions.
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