Firefly Aerospace and SSC Space have advanced their joint orbital launch capabilities at Esrange Space Center by completing critical infrastructure, establishing transatlantic regulatory frameworks, and securing a significant defense agreement. The companies are now proceeding with final construction at Launch Complex 3C, targeting the first orbital launch for 2028. This development expands critical access to space from mainland Europe, leveraging Firefly’s Alpha rocket to deliver 1,000 kg to low Earth orbit.

Key infrastructure completed includes the launch control center, payload processing facility, launch vehicle integration building, tracking and control systems, and security and storage facilities. The project is supported by a Memorandum of Cooperation signed in April 2026 between the Swedish National Space Agency and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This agreement streamlines the launch licensing process and establishes a shared understanding of commercial space regulations. Additionally, a Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) between Sweden and the United States provides the legal framework for exporting advanced U.S. space technology, making Sweden the sixth country to enter into such an agreement with the U.S.

"Today we’re celebrating the realization of critical transatlantic partnerships that are enabling Firefly’s global launch expansion strategy, starting in Sweden," said Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. He emphasized that the 'launch as a franchise' model provides allies with launch site diversification required for resilient space missions. Charlotta Sund, CEO and Group President of SSC Space, highlighted that adding an orbital launch capability to mainland Europe strengthens the continent’s competitiveness and strategic autonomy.

From a commercial standpoint, SSC Space recently signed a SEK 209 million agreement with the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV). This contract enables the Swedish Armed Forces to launch their own satellites into orbit from Esrange Space Center using the Alpha rocket. The high-latitude location of Esrange, approximately 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, is ideal for reaching sun-synchronous and polar orbits, which are in high demand for national security and commercial missions.

Project Overview

Firefly Aerospace has acquired Space-ng Inc., a leader in AI-powered vision navigation and autonomous guidance systems, to bolster its capabilities for autonomous space operations. The acquisition brings proven spacecraft software and camera hardware to Firefly’s Blue Ghost landers and Elytra orbital vehicles. This strategic integration is designed to support missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, enhancing the company's ability to deliver precise and safe landings.

Space-ng's vision navigation software was critical during Firefly's historic Blue Ghost Mission 1, which landed on the Moon on March 2, 2025. The technology determined position and attitude, detected hazardous lunar terrain, and autonomously redirected the lander in real-time. This enabled a safe, precise touchdown within the Moon’s Mare Crisium, marking the first commercial lunar landing.

Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace, highlighted the significance of the technology during the mission's descent. "Space-ng's vision navigation technology proved itself in the most critical moments of our descent, allowing Blue Ghost to autonomously perform two hazard avoidance maneuvers and safely touch down on the Moon for the first time in commercial space history," Kim said. He noted that the acquisition represents a strategic investment in both the team and technologies that will advance autonomous operations.

The acquisition also brings high-resolution spacecraft cameras and AI compute hardware to Firefly. These assets enable advanced space domain awareness, onboard optical navigation, rendezvous and proximity operations, and docking without requiring GPS or GNSS. Firefly plans to integrate these technologies across its fleet to support a growing mission manifest.

Upcoming missions include three additional lunar missions under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, another lunar mission supporting NASA MoonFall, and a space domain awareness mission for the Defense Innovation Unit. Ethan Rublee, co-founder and CEO of Space-ng, will join Firefly as the Chief Engineer of Software to oversee the company’s spacecraft software suite.

Space-ng was founded in 2024 as a spinoff of Farm-ng, which began in 2020 providing AI-powered vision navigation for the farming industry. The company is headquartered in Littleton, Colorado. Following the transaction, Space-ng will be fully integrated into Firefly, and its capabilities will be offered to government and commercial customers under the Firefly Aerospace brand.