NASA selected Firefly Space Transport Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Firefly Aerospace Inc., as its launch services provider for the agency's Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) missions in the 500kg–1,000 kg weight range, using its Alpha rocket.

The fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract has a five-year ordering period, carrying a maximum total value of USD 300 million across all contracts.

The VADR contract will offer a wide range of commercial launch services that are certified by the Federal Aviation Administration and capable of carrying payloads to orbits ranging from CubeSats to Class D missions. These tiny satellites and Class D payloads are tolerant of high risk and provide an excellent setting for technical and architectural innovation, advancing science research, and technological advancement at NASA.

Analyst Quicktake: Firefly is currently the sole launch vehicle provider in the 500kg–1,000 kg grouping that has completed development and conducted its first test launch. The first test launch of the Alpha vehicle was carried out in September 2021, which failed mid-air. The second Alpha launch was rescheduled for September 19, 2022, following attempts to launch on September 11 and 12.