Firefly Aerospace Wins $75M NASA Subcontract and Launches 12M-Share Offering
FLY•Firefly Aerospace secured a $75 million NASA JPL subcontract to deliver four drones to the Moon’s south pole, triggering a stock jump over 20%. It concurrently launched a public offering of 12 million shares, led by Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan, to finance growth in its lunar and orbital programs.
1. NASA Subcontract Award
Firefly secured a $75 million subcontract from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to deliver four drones aboard its Elytra spacecraft to the lunar south pole no earlier than 2028 under the MoonFall mission. These drones will perform multiple propulsive hops over a single lunar day to map terrain, identify landing sites and support NASA’s Moon Base initiative.
2. Public Offering Details
The company filed for a public offering of 12 million common shares—4 million new shares and 8 million from existing stockholders—plus a 30-day option to sell 1.8 million more shares. Lead underwriters Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Jefferies and Wells Fargo Securities will manage the offering, with net proceeds earmarked for core business expansion and recently awarded programs.
3. Stock Reaction and Market Impact
Shares of Firefly rose over 20% following the dual announcement, contributing to a 157% year-to-date gain as investors responded to the NASA contract and capital raise. The rally underscores market optimism around the company’s lunar exploration capabilities and its plans to scale spacecraft production.
