Firefly Aerospace to Acquire SciTec
New Delhi, India, October 6, 2025- Firefly Aerospace, a fast-growing space technology company based in Texas, has announced plans to acquire SciTec, a national security software firm headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey. The deal, valued at approximately $855 million, marks a major step in Firefly’s strategy to strengthen its presence in the defense and intelligence sectors.
The acquisition will be funded through a mix of $300 million in cash and $555 million in Firefly Aerospace shares. The company expects the transaction to close by the end of 2025.
This move comes just two months after Firefly’s successful listing on the Nasdaq, where its shares surged by over 55% on debut, giving the company a valuation of $9.84 billion. It was the largest U.S. public offering this year by a space technology firm.
Firefly Aerospace said the acquisition will allow it to integrate SciTec’s advanced software analytics into its existing space services. SciTec specializes in technologies that support missile warning, tracking, and defense, as well as intelligence and surveillance operations. These capabilities will complement Firefly’s current offerings, which include satellite launches, lunar missions, and in-orbit services.
Once the deal is finalized, SciTec will operate as a separate unit under Firefly’s umbrella, led by its current CEO, Jim Lisowski.
“This acquisition is a natural fit for our long-term vision,” Firefly Aerospace said in a statement. “SciTec’s expertise in national security will help us deliver more robust solutions to government and defense clients.”
The timing of the acquisition reflects growing interest in space and defense technologies amid rising geopolitical tensions. Governments around the world, especially the United States, are investing heavily in space-based infrastructure to support national security. Firefly’s move positions it to benefit from this trend.
Industry analysts say the deal could help Firefly compete with larger defense contractors by offering integrated solutions that combine launch capabilities with real-time data analytics and surveillance.
“Firefly is clearly signaling that it wants to be more than just a launch provider,” said one analyst. “By acquiring SciTec, it’s stepping into the broader defense ecosystem.”
Firefly’s journey to this point has been anything but smooth. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2017 and has faced several setbacks in recent years. In 2024, its CEO was ousted amid internal restructuring. More recently, in September 2025, Firefly Aerospace reported a testing failure involving its Alpha rocket booster, which was destroyed during a trial.
That incident followed a failed satellite launch in April, when a Lockheed Martin payload was placed in a shallow orbit, missing its intended target. Despite these challenges, Firefly Aerospace has continued to attract investor interest, especially after its IPO.
The company’s ability to bounce back from setbacks and pursue strategic growth has impressed many in the industry.
Founded in Princeton, SciTec has built a reputation for developing cutting-edge software for defense applications. Its systems are used in missile detection, space surveillance, and intelligence gathering. These tools are critical for modern military operations, especially as threats become more complex and technology-driven.
By bringing SciTec into its fold, Firefly Aerospace gains access to a suite of technologies that can be integrated into its launch and space operations. This could open doors to new government contracts and partnerships with defense agencies.
With the acquisition of SciTec, Firefly Aerospace is poised to become a more influential player in the space and defense sectors. The deal not only expands its technical capabilities but also signals a shift in its business strategy from a focus on commercial space launches to a broader role in national security.
As the company prepares to close the deal by year-end, industry watchers will be looking to see how Firefly manages the integration and whether it can deliver on its promise of becoming a full-spectrum space technology provider.
For now, Firefly’s bold move has captured attention across the aerospace and defense industries, and it may well set the tone for future consolidation in the space-tech sector.
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