Northrop & Firefly Unveil $50M Antares 330 Rocket

Post by : Amit

Photo: Linkdin/Firefly Aerospace

A new chapter in American space launch capability is unfolding as Northrop Grumman teams up with Firefly Aerospace to build the next-generation Antares 330 rocket—a project carrying a price tag of nearly $50 million and a mission to boost U.S. access to space.

The collaboration brings together decades of Northrop’s launch vehicle experience with Firefly’s cutting-edge rocket engines, promising a powerful new workhorse for NASA cargo missions to the International Space Station (ISS) and beyond.

A New Rocket, A New Era
The new rocket, officially named Antares 330, represents a complete overhaul of the earlier Antares 230+, which relied heavily on Ukrainian-built components. Following geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions, Northrop Grumman sought to secure a 100% U.S.-manufactured rocket—and Firefly Aerospace stepped in as the ideal partner.

The Antares 330 will be powered by seven Firefly Miranda engines in the first stage, a major upgrade that will significantly increase thrust and performance. The upper stage will use Northrop's proven Castor 30XL solid motor, ensuring reliability for cargo flights under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contracts.
“By combining Northrop Grumman’s expertise with Firefly’s innovation, we’re building a stronger, more resilient launch system that ensures uninterrupted support for the space station,” said Scott Lehr, Vice President of Northrop Grumman’s launch vehicles division.

The Price Tag: $50 Million
The newly revealed cost—about $50 million per launch—positions the Antares 330 as a competitive player in the growing commercial launch market. While still more expensive than smaller rockets, it offers a tailored solution for medium-lift missions, especially critical ISS cargo deliveries and future lunar and deep-space projects.

For comparison, launches using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 are estimated around $67 million, while smaller launch providers typically charge between $10-$25 million. The Antares 330 fills a niche that allows for heavy cargo without the need for a full heavy-lift vehicle.

Strengthening U.S. Space Independence
The switch to a fully American-built rocket is more than just a technical upgrade—it’s a strategic decision aimed at ensuring national security, supply chain stability, and independent access to orbit.

The previous reliance on Ukrainian-built first stages and Russian engines for the Antares 230+ had long been seen as a vulnerability. The conflict in Ukraine and rising tensions with Russia accelerated Northrop's push to create a solution that is not just made in the U.S., but also scalable for future needs.

Firefly Aerospace, a Texas-based startup, has rapidly grown into one of the most promising players in the new space economy. Their Miranda engine technology, developed for Firefly’s own Medium Launch Vehicle (MLV), will now power both their own rockets and the Antares 330—a win for both companies and for American space leadership.

Northrop Grumman and Firefly’s partnership doesn’t stop with Antares 330. The two companies have also agreed to develop an entirely new Medium Launch Vehicle (MLV)—an even more advanced rocket designed to replace not just Antares, but also the Minotaur family and other Northrop rockets.

This future rocket could rival other upcoming systems like United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur or Blue Origin’s New Glenn, adding more competition and capacity to an already busy commercial launch market.

First Launch Expected by 2025
The first launch of the Antares 330 is expected no earlier than mid-2025, carrying cargo to the International Space Station under Northrop Grumman’s existing contracts with NASA.

As the commercial space sector continues to expand, the Antares 330 project signals a bold step forward in domestic space launch capability—reducing reliance on foreign suppliers, increasing flexibility, and ensuring the United States stays at the forefront of space access.

For Northrop Grumman and Firefly Aerospace, the future of launch is not just about rockets—it’s about resilience, independence, and innovation that reaches for the stars.

U.S., Ukraine