{
  "id": 18521117,
  "title": "Firefly inks $1.3 billion deal to supply engines for new AST SpaceMobile 'Blacklift' rocket",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/firefly-inks-1-3-billion-deal-to-supply-engines-for-new-ast",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-06T15:18:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CNA - Business",
    "slug": "cna-business",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/firefly-inks-13-billion-deal-supply-engines-new-ast-spacemobile-blacklift-rocket-6531826"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Firefly Aerospace has inked a $1.3 billion deal to provide engines for AST SpaceMobile's upcoming heavy-lift rocket, dubbed Blacklift, according to a November 6 announcement. The engines deal is a significant step for satellite companies seeking reliable access to space, as AST SpaceMobile accelerates its efforts to establish a global cellular broadband service via its satellite constellation, aiming to reduce dependence on third-party rockets such as SpaceX's Falcon 9. Under the agreement, Firefly will build and supply 27 Miranda engines and 9 in-space Vira engines for the first three Blacklift rockets. AST also obtained a license to eventually manufacture the engines in-house. The company anticipates launching the Blacklift rocket by late 2028, with the rocket being designed for reusability and capable of carrying up to five BlueBird satellites per launch.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}