/sci/ - Science & Math

>>15492756
https://fireflyspace.com/mlv/

> Building on the Success of Antares and Alpha

>MLV will utilize the Firefly-manufactured Antares 330 first stage that’s powered by seven Firefly Miranda engines and a new liquid upper stage incorporating one Miranda derived vacuum engine. The vehicle will utilize technologies from Firefly’s flight-proven Alpha vehicle, such as all carbon composite structures and tap-off cycle engines, and will evolve into a reusable vehicle.

>Launching from Virginia’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Wallops Island, MLV is also designed to be compatible with other launch ranges, including Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS), Florida, and Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB), California.

https://fireflyspace.com/news/northrop-grumman-teams-with-firefly-aerospace-to-develop-antares-rocket-upgrade-and-new-medium-launch-vehicle/

> Northrop Grumman Teams with Firefly Aerospace to Develop Antares Rocket Upgrade and New Medium Launch Vehicle

> CHANDLER, Ariz. – Aug. 8, 2022 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) and Firefly Aerospace have joined forces to provide an American-built first-stage upgrade for the Antares rocket and a new medium launch vehicle to serve commercial, civil and national security space launch markets.

> Firefly’s propulsion technology utilizes the same propellants as the current Antares rocket, which minimizes launch site upgrades. The Antares 330 will utilize seven of Firefly’s Miranda engines and leverage its composites technology for the first stage structures and tanks, while Northrop Grumman provides its proven avionics and software, upper-stage structures and Castor 30XL motor, as well as proven vehicle integration and launch pad operations. This new stage will also significantly increase Antares mass to orbit capability.