Stairway To Seven
| Scheduled for UTC | 2025-03-12 00:50:00 |
|---|---|
| Scheduled for (local) | 2025-03-11 17:50 (PST) |
| Launch site | SLC-2W, Vandenberg SFB, California, USA |
| Launch provider | Firefly Aerospace |
| Launch vehicle | Alpha Block 1 |
| Customer | No |
| Payload | No |
| Target orbit | LEO |
Livestreams
| Stream | Link |
|---|---|
| Firefly Aerospace | https://youtube.com/watch?v=nyVbmoRXcvc |
| NASASpaceflight | https://youtube.com/watch?v=j4UXqDhfEbw |
| Space Affairs |
Payload info (NextSpaceflight):
Alpha Flight 7
Alpha Flight 7 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.
The Block II configuration includes a 7-foot increase to Alpha’s length, consolidated batteries and avionics built in house, an enhanced thermal protection system, and stronger carbon composite structures built with automated machinery.
Flight 7 will be 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.
Stats
- 1st launch of Firefly Alpha in 2026.
- 7th launch of Firefly Alpha overall.
Orbit catalogued by Jonathan McDowell: https://bsky.app/profile/planet4589.bsky.social/post/3mgutwavs3s2i
The Firefly Alpha launch appears to have been fully successful. The LM-400 test satellite is being tracked in a 401 x 405 km x 123.0 deg orbit, and the Alpha second stage made a perigee lowering burn at about 0140 UTC to 231 x 423 km x 123.1 deg.
https://x.com/FireflySpace/status/2031520010984718679
We are standing down for today’s Alpha Flight 7 launch attempt after the team saw some off-nominal readings during fluids loading. We continue to be intentionally cautious with a focus on quality and reliability leading up to this test flight. We will work with the @SLDelta30 to determine the next available window. More to come soon.
https://x.com/FireflySpace/status/2031803538020425847
The Alpha Flight 7 team is moving forward with another launch attempt tonight after running additional tests on our fluid systems. The two-hour launch window for this test flight opens at 5:50 pm PT and our livestream with @NASASpaceflight will begin 20 minutes before liftoff.
NSF are live for today’s launch attempt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4UXqDhfEbw
Liftoff!
Stage separation and stage 2 ignition!
Edit: And fairing jettison.
SECO and nominal orbit insertion confirmed!
