Firefly Alpha | Stairway to Seven

Mission Status

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

Mission Updates

12 mar, 02:13 Cosmic_Penguin

Launch success.

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12 mar, 00:50 Cosmic_Penguin

Liftoff.

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12 mar, 00:31 LL2

Official Webcast by Firefly Aerospace has started

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11 mar, 18:47 Cosmic_Penguin

Rescheduled for March 11 PDT.

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10 mar, 23:59 Cosmic_Penguin

Scrubbed due to off-nominal readings during fluids loading.

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10 mar, 20:55 Cosmic_Penguin

Confirmed rescheduled for today.

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10 mar, 19:35 Cosmic_Penguin

Reverted to NET March TBD.

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9 mar, 22:02 Cosmic_Penguin

Scrubbed for the day due to sensor issue.

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6 mar, 21:37 Cosmic_Penguin

GO for launch.

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5 mar, 15:10 Cosmic_Penguin

NET March 10 UTC, to be confirmed.

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2 mar, 01:51 Cosmic_Penguin

Scrubbed for the day due to upper level winds.

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2 mar, 00:35 Cosmic_Penguin

New T-0.

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2 mar, 00:11 Cosmic_Penguin

Holding for upper level winds.

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28 feb, 17:49 Cosmic_Penguin

Delayed to March 1 PST due to upper level winds.

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27 feb, 22:55 Cosmic_Penguin

Tweaked launch window.

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26 feb, 15:44 Cosmic_Penguin

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

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18 feb, 15:05 Cosmic_Penguin

Updated launch window.

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17 feb, 21:29 Cosmic_Penguin

Delayed to NET February 27 PST.

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13 feb, 19:04 Cosmic_Penguin

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

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9 feb, 14:04 Cosmic_Penguin

GO for launch, NET February 18 PST.

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4 feb, 18:42 Cosmic_Penguin

NET February 14 UTC, to be confirmed.

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12 nov, 21:23 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.

Tipo Missione Test Flight
Orbita Low Earth Orbit
Launch Window 00:50 - 02:50

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.