AST SpaceMobile announced development of Blacklift, a 20-ton rocket designed to launch its BlueBird D2D satellite constellation. Firefly Aerospace will supply 36 Miranda and Vira engines for three rockets under a $1.3B contract, with AST retaining licenses to manufacture engines in-house after three years.
What's happening
- AST SpaceMobile is building Blacklift, a 20-ton LEO launch vehicle targeting first flight in late 2028.
- Firefly Aerospace will deliver 36 engines across three rockets under a $1.3B contract plus provide three years of engineering support.
- AST SpaceMobile will acquire manufacturing licenses to build Miranda and Vira engines independently at a new facility after the initial contract period.
Why it matters
- AST SpaceMobile gains independent, unconstrained access to orbit for its BlueBird constellation as commercial launch capacity tightens and SpaceX phases out commercial Falcon 9 rideshare flights.
- Vertical integration of launch capability levels competitive positioning against Starlink, which operates its own Falcon 9 and Starship rockets.
- Firefly Aerospace secures a major production commitment of 36 engines with three-year engineering engagement, supporting sustained manufacturing operations.
Going deeper
- The late 2028 first flight timeline is aggressive for a new orbital launch vehicle, creating execution risk against AST's constellation deployment schedule.
- AST's transition from purchasing engines to manufacturing them in-house represents a capital-intensive buildout requiring new facility infrastructure and technical expertise.
Financial impact
- Firefly Aerospace recognizes $1.3B in contract value as revenue over the delivery period of three rockets plus engineering services; timing not disclosed.
- AST SpaceMobile incurs capex for the new manufacturing facility and engine production equipment starting before late 2028 first flight; timing not disclosed.
- AST's cost per launch depends on internal engine manufacturing efficiency versus external procurement cost basis established under the Firefly contract.
The fine print
- AST SpaceMobile's acquisition of engine manufacturing licenses and transition to in-house production after three years is contingent on program success and technical transfer completion.
- The $1.3B contract covers 36 engines and engineering support; obligated and ceiling amounts are not distinguished in available sources.
Source: payloadspace.com · Nov 6, 2026 · Drafted with Claude, reviewed by Industrial Base Alpha.
