Firefly Aerospace planning to launch rocket in Virginia in 2025

ACCOMACK COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The Office of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has announced that the Texas-based engineering firm Firefly Aerospace plans to launch its two-stage orbital Alpha rocket from Wallops Island in Accomack County.

According to Youngkin’s office, Firefly Aerospace is planning for the launch to take place at the Virginia Spaceport Authority’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, located on NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, in 2025.

“As growth at Virginia’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport accelerates, we are delighted to welcome Firefly Aerospace to Virginia,” Youngkin said in a press release. “The Commonwealth plays a critical role in supporting national security as the need to maintain our nation’s leadership in space becomes increasingly evident. I look forward to Firefly’s success in Virginia as we work together to bolster our nation’s aerospace industry.”

According to Youngkin’s office, Firefly’s Alpha rocket “provides responsive, reliable launch services for commercial, civil and national security missions with the capability to launch more than 1,000 kg to low-Earth orbit with just 24-hour notice.”

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