U.S. defense contractor Northrop Grumman has invested $50 million into space startup Firefly Aerospace to aid the production of their jointly developed rocket, the companies said on Thursday.

Northrop Grumman announced it will partner with Firefly Aerospace to build an all-American version of its Antares rocket, which uses Russian-built engines. Chalk one up for the American broomsticks.

Northrop Grumman and Firefly Aerospace have given a name to the future medium-lift rocket they plan to build: Eclipse. The two companies are already partnered to help shepherd a new version of ...

About three years ago, aerospace and defense giant Northrop Grumman was trying to build a space business and turn itself into a space company-- but it was encountering some difficulties.