Firefly Alpha | Stairway to Seven

Mission Status

The launch vehicle successfully inserted its payload(s) into the target orbit(s).

Mission Updates

Mar 12, 02:13 AM Cosmic_Penguin

Launch success.

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Mar 12, 12:50 AM Cosmic_Penguin

Liftoff.

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Mar 12, 12:31 AM LL2

Official Webcast by Firefly Aerospace has started

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Mar 11, 06:47 PM Cosmic_Penguin

Rescheduled for March 11 PDT.

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Mar 10, 11:59 PM Cosmic_Penguin

Scrubbed due to off-nominal readings during fluids loading.

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Mar 10, 08:55 PM Cosmic_Penguin

Confirmed rescheduled for today.

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Mar 10, 07:35 PM Cosmic_Penguin

Reverted to NET March TBD.

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Mar 9, 10:02 PM Cosmic_Penguin

Scrubbed for the day due to sensor issue.

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Mar 6, 09:37 PM Cosmic_Penguin

GO for launch.

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Mar 5, 03:10 PM Cosmic_Penguin

NET March 10 UTC, to be confirmed.

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Mar 2, 01:51 AM Cosmic_Penguin

Scrubbed for the day due to upper level winds.

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Mar 2, 12:35 AM Cosmic_Penguin

New T-0.

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Mar 2, 12:11 AM Cosmic_Penguin

Holding for upper level winds.

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Feb 28, 05:49 PM Cosmic_Penguin

Delayed to March 1 PST due to upper level winds.

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Feb 27, 10:55 PM Cosmic_Penguin

Tweaked launch window.

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Feb 26, 03:44 PM Cosmic_Penguin

Delayed to NET February 28 PST due to launch site weather.

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Feb 18, 03:05 PM Cosmic_Penguin

Updated launch window.

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Feb 17, 09:29 PM Cosmic_Penguin

Delayed to NET February 27 PST.

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Feb 13, 07:04 PM Cosmic_Penguin

Delayed to NET February 20 PST per new marine navigation warnings.

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Feb 9, 02:04 PM Cosmic_Penguin

GO for launch, NET February 18 PST.

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Feb 4, 06:42 PM Cosmic_Penguin

NET February 14 UTC, to be confirmed.

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Nov 12, 09:23 PM Cosmic_Penguin

Added launch.

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Mission Details

Firefly Alpha's Flight 7 is a test flight and return-To-Flight for the launch vehicle after its April 2025 launch failure. It will test and validate key systems ahead of Firefly’s Block II configuration upgrade on Flight 8 that’s designed to enhance reliability and manufacturability across the vehicle. Flight 7 is the last flown in Alpha’s current configuration and will test multiple Block II subsystems, including the in-house avionics and thermal improvements, to gain flight heritage and validate lessons learned ahead of the full configuration upgrade on Flight 8. This launch also delivered a demonstrator payload for Lockheed Martin.

Mission Type Test Flight
Orbit Low Earth Orbit
Launch Window 12:50 AM - 02:50 AM

Rocket Configuration

Name Firefly Alpha
Manufacturer Firefly Aerospace
Height 29.6 m
Diameter 1.82 m
Maiden Flight 2021-09-03
Success Rate 4/7 (57%)

Firefly Alpha (Firefly α) is a two-stage orbital expendable launch vehicle developed by the American aerospace company Firefly Aerospace to cover the commercial small satellite launch market. Alpha is intended to provide launch options for both full vehicle and ride share customers.