Max Q: Firefly Aerospace is making moves

Hello and welcome back to Max Q!

In this issue:

• Firefly’s making moves with toptechtrends.com/2023/06/06/firefly-targets-august-for-nasa-cubesat-launch/”>summer launches and toptechtrends.com/2023/06/08/firefly-buys-spaceflight-inc-to-boost-on-orbit-services/”>a new acquisition
• toptechtrends.com/2023/06/07/layoffs-hit-rocket-engine-maker-ursa-major/”>Layoffs at Ursa Major
• News toptechtrends.com/2023/06/07/nasa-spends-45m-to-seed-tech-from-hundreds-of-space-businesses/”>from NASA and more

Firefly’s making moves

Firefly Aerospace is making moves ahead of what is shaping up to be a very busy summer. First, read here abouttoptechtrends.com/2023/06/06/firefly-targets-august-for-nasa-cubesat-launch/”> a possible August launch attempt for a mission for NASA. Then, catch up with our coverage of the company’s latest toptechtrends.com/2023/06/08/firefly-buys-spaceflight-inc-to-boost-on-orbit-services/”>surprising acquisition.

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Image Credits: Firefly (opens in a new window)

The latest “tech” layoffs come to Ursa Major

Unfortunately, Ursa Major is the latest company to have implemented a round of layoffs, toptechtrends.com/2023/06/07/layoffs-hit-rocket-engine-maker-ursa-major/”>affecting at least 15 people. Those include quality specialists and propulsion engineers. The company, which develops and manufactures engines for space launch and hypersonic applications, has had some toptechtrends.com/2023/04/24/ursa-major-to-provide-engines-for-the-upper-stage-of-astras-new-rocket/”>major wins in recent months, but these layoffs certainly suggest trouble is afoot.

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Image credit: Ursa Major

More news from TC and beyond

• Albedo, an Earth observation startup, is opening a new 10,000-square-foot facility to support the manufacturing of three-four satellites at once. (Albedo)
• Hydrosat, a climate tech company that uses satellite sensors to measure water stress and drought, acquired Irriwatch and its irrigation management software. (SpaceNews)
• NASA is spending $45 million to seed hundreds of small aerospace businesses, with awardees pursuing everything from in-space transportation to microbial monitoring for spacecraft. (toptechtrends.com/2023/06/07/nasa-spends-45m-to-seed-tech-from-hundreds-of-space-businesses/”>TechCrunch)
• Nuview has raised $15 million so far for its lidar satellite constellation, from investors including actor Leonardo DiCaprio. (toptechtrends.com/2023/06/06/nuview-hit-15m-leonardo-dicaprio/”>TechCrunch)
• SpaceX launched a cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station carrying a pair of new solar panels, scientific research and fresh fruit (among other things). (toptechtrends.com/2023/06/05/spacex-launches-cargo-resupply-mission-to-iss/”>TechCrunch)
• United Launch Alliance conducted a key test of the integrated Vulcan rocket, firing up two Blue Origin-built BE-4 engines. (ULA)

Max Q is brought to you by me, Aria Alamalhodaei. If you enjoy reading Max Q, consider forwarding it to a friend. 

toptechtrends.com/2023/06/12/max-q-firefly-aerospace-is-making-moves/”>Max Q: Firefly Aerospace is making moves by toptechtrends.com/author/aria-alamalhodaei/”>Aria Alamalhodaei originally published on toptechtrends.com/”>TechCrunch