Firefly Aerospace Signs Rocket Engine Deal Valued at More Than $1.3 Billion with AST SpaceMobile
Globe Newswire•06/11/2026•07:30 ET
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Key Highlights
- ➤AST SpaceMobile deal exceeds $1.3 billion over three years
- ➤Firefly will deliver 36 engines for AST SpaceMobile’s first three rockets
- ➤AST SpaceMobile receives licensed engine IP and manufacturing rights
- ➤Firefly plans expanded hiring, materials procurement, equipment, and test bays
- ➤Payments include cash and AST Class A Common Stock
Expert Statements
Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace
“This is a bold transformational deal for Firefly, for AST SpaceMobile, and for the space industry”
Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace
“When a company sets out to build its own rocket, the engine is the hardest, highest-stakes decision they make, and AST SpaceMobile chose to partner with Firefly for its most powerful rocket engines.”
Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace
“It's a true win-win for both companies: AST SpaceMobile gets control of its own launch schedule, and Firefly gets added funds to rapidly expand our rocket production and reinforce the supply of launch vehicles to address record demand from the industry.”
Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman and CEO of AST SpaceMobile
“Firefly is one of a few companies in the United States with a proven liquid engine of this scale, making it a scarcity in the industry”
Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman and CEO of AST SpaceMobile
“We’re proud to partner with Firefly as a company that has demonstrated repeated launch success to orbit and completed the first and only successful commercial Moon landing.”
Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace
“The agreement supercharges Firefly’s production system — more test bays at our Rocket Ranch, long-lead materials bought ahead, and a bigger team of engineers and technicians”
Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace
“This allows us to build and test faster across our launch portfolio, with safety, quality, and reliability built in.”
Three-year agreement includes engine delivery, licensed IP, and engineering support for AST SpaceMobile’s new heavy-lift rocket, injecting additional funds for Firefly to accelerate its own launch vehicle production
*Firefly CEO Jason Kim and AST SpaceMobile Chairman and CEO Abel Avellan in front of Firefly’s Miranda engine at its Rocket Ranch in Briggs, Texas; Credit: Firefly Aerospace
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