Max Polyakov and Noosphere Regain Right to Invest in Firefly Aerospace

Ukrainian millionaire and space businessman Max Polyakov is once again permitted to be involved with Firefly Aerospace.

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States and the U.S. Air Force had required Polyakov’s divestment as well as that of his company Noosphere in early 2022 as fears that the eventual broadscale invasion of Ukraine by Russia would expose sensitive technologies and know-how to capture by the Russians at facilities in central Ukraine. The reversal comes as the committee has decided that the threat to national security no longer exists.

On 31st May, the Department of the Treasury informed Firefly that the restrictions from 28th February 2022 had been removed, Noosphere Ventures Partners announced. In April 2024, the U.S. Air Force had done the same. This paved the way for Polyakov and Noosphere to return to investing in Firefly Aerospace.

The probability of Polyakov returning to the U.S. space industry is high, as the press release includes:

Polyakov has publicly stated his goal to develop stronger partnerships between Ukraine and the United States in space technology, hardware and talent – Firefly Alpha’s success being a prime example.

Noosphere Venture Partners press release

There is no indication that Polyakov would or would not return to Firefly Aerospace in particular. Orbital Today has contacted Firefly for comment and will update this article when a response is received.

Firefly Aerospace – latest news

On 3rd July, Firefly launched its fifth flight, the “Noise of Summer” launch. This lunch was the last of the company’s Venture-Class Launch Services Demonstration 2 contract launches for new carriers. It was also part of NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative, which is designed for promoting the launch of cubesats for universities. The company has also signed papers establishing relationships for launching from Wallop’s Island, Virginia, and Esrange in Sweden.

Max Polyakov’s early days

Ashley Vance’s book When The Heavens Went On Sale explores Polyakov’s investment and development of Firefly Aerospace after its bankruptcy. In early 2022, Firefly carried out the first Alpha launch and later gained contracts with NASA and US defense sectors.