Firefly Aerospace Receives $13 Million NASA JPL Subcontract to Build Aeroshell for SkyFall Mars Mission

Firefly Aerospace announced a $13 million subcontract from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to manufacture, test, and deliver the aeroshell for the SkyFall Mars mission, scheduled for launch in late 2028. The mission, managed by JPL, will deploy three Mars helicopters to conduct science and demonstrate airborne subsurface mapping and resource prospecting, supporting future human exploration. Firefly will develop the aeroshell at its new Gloworks innovation lab in Texas, utilizing advanced carbon composite technologies from its Blue Ghost lunar landers and Alpha launch vehicles.

The SkyFall aeroshell, consisting of a backshell and heatshield, will undergo structural qualification and flight acceptance testing at Firefly’s Rocket Ranch in Briggs, Texas. The company will then deliver the aeroshell to JPL for additional environmental testing before integration with the SkyFall helicopters and deployment system. The aeroshell is designed to withstand the harsh conditions of launch, cruise, and Mars entry, descent, and landing.

The SkyFall mission will deploy three helicopters using an innovative mid-air release technique called the "SkyFall Maneuver," eliminating the need for a landing platform. The helicopters will capture high-resolution surface imagery and subsurface radar data to analyze terrain and scout for water ice. This data aims to improve understanding of the landing site’s geological history and resource potential.

Firefly highlighted its progress in lunar missions, including four upcoming NASA CLPS missions and a JPL subcontract to deliver lunar drones via its Elytra spacecraft. The company is expanding its Texas facilities to support increased spacecraft production, including lunar landers and orbital vehicles. Firefly emphasized leveraging lunar mission technologies to reduce costs and accelerate Mars exploration efforts.