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Project Profile

Firefly Aerospace, the First Commercial Company to Successfully Land on the Moon, Achieves AS9100 Certification for Operational Excellence

Read how ABS Quality Evaluations (ABS QE), a global leader in management system certification, partnered with Firefly Aerospace to achieve AS9100 certification for their facilities in Cedar Park and Briggs, Texas. 

Project Objectives

Aerospace Industry Banner

Project Overview

In the competitive aerospace industry, achieving AS9100 certification is a critical milestone that signals a commitment to quality, safety and continuous improvement. As a company dedicated to providing responsive, reliable access to space, this certification was a strategic step for Firefly Aerospace to strengthen their market position and meet the rigorous demands of customers and stakeholders, ultimately becoming the first commerical company to successfully land on the moon. 

ABS Quality Evaluations (ABS QE), a global leader in management system certification, partnered with Firefly Aerospace to achieve AS9100 certification for their facilities in Cedar Park and Briggs, Texas. This certification not only helps ensure compliance with industry standards but also enhances Firefly Aerospace’s ability to deliver high-quality reliable services, supporting initiatives like Blue Ghost Mission 1—a groundbreaking lunar exploration project under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.


Blue Ghost Mission 1 - Lunar Lander Fully Assembled


Blue Ghost Mission 1 - Landed (Rendering)


Blue Ghost Mission 1 - Earth Reflection


Blue Ghost Mission 1 - Mission Operations Selfie

Our Solution

Our Solution ABS QE leveraged decades of expertise in management system certification to guide Firefly Aerospace through the AS9100 certification process. Key elements of the approach included:

  • Comprehensive Auditing: Conducted thorough evaluations to identify gaps to enhance Firefly’s AQMS.
  • Collaborative Partnership: Worked closely with Firefly Aerospace to address unique operational challenges and streamline the certification process.

This collaborative effort strengthened Firefly Aerospace’s operational processes, ensuring compliance with stringent industry standards and supporting the success of high-stakes projects like Blue Ghost Mission 1.

Value Delivered

Through ABS QE’s support, Firefly Aerospace achieved AS9100 certification, reinforcing their position as a reliable and innovative leader in the aerospace industry. Key benefits included:

  • Enhanced Operational Efficiency: Improved AQMS processes, reducing risks and streamlining operations.
  • Strengthened Market Position: Bolstered credibility and reliability through certification, meeting the expectations of customers and stakeholders.
  • Support for Missions: Aligned with rigorous quality and safety standards in support of Firefly missions.

Blue Ghost Mission 1 exemplifies Firefly Aerospace’s technical expertise and dedication to advancing space exploration. By achieving AS9100 certification, Firefly Aerospace has demonstrated their commitment to reliability and quality assurance in their launch, lunar, and on-orbit missions.

The Benefits of Integrating Management Systems

Firefly Aerospace gained significant advantages through AS9100 certification, helping to ensure compliance with stringent aerospace industry standards. With the support of ABS QE, Firefly streamlined processes and enhanced quality management across their Texas facilities. This certification strengthens their credibility, operational efficiency and readiness for ambitious projects like Blue Ghost Mission 1, positioning them as a trusted leader in the aerospace sector.