Tampa space company to build floating launchpads for Firefly, Vaya rockets

Seagate Space, a Florida-based startup founded in 2025, will start building prototype floating launchpads within days at Port Tampa Bay. The project, approved by Space Florida’s board with a $270,000 grant, aims to create a modular underwater ballast system to stabilize rocket launches from sea. CEO Michael Anderson expects construction to begin within weeks, with completion targeted for under 90 days, setting the stage for a potential 2027-2028 launch. The initiative targets Florida’s crowded launch sites, offering an alternative for companies like Firefly Aerospace and Vaya Space. Seagate Space’s design uses 40-foot shipping-container-sized modules, allowing prefabrication and flexible scaling for rockets of varying sizes. The first platform, intended for Firefly’s 96½-foot-tall Alpha rocket, will require about 25 modules. Firefly Aerospace, based in Texas, partnered with Seagate Space to develop an offshore launch system for its liquid-fueled Alpha rocket, capable of carrying 2,300 pounds to low-Earth orbit. Firefly’s VP of Launch, Adam Oakes, stated the collaboration aligns with their goal of rapid, resilient launch capabilities for government and commercial customers. Seagate Space’s modular approach also supports smaller rockets and suborbital applications. The company committed to maintaining operations in Florida for at least five years as part of the funding agreement. Anderson emphasized the urgency of completing the prototype to advance full-scale ship construction, with multiple launch contracts under negotiation. The project leverages Seagate Space’s base at spARK Labs by ARK Invest in St. Petersburg, Florida.