Tag: Firefly Aerospace
-
Lockheed Martin Teams with Firefly and Seagate for Sea Launch
What Does Lockheed Martin’s Entry into Sea-Based Launch Mean? Lockheed Martin has joined a three-way partnership with Firefly Aerospace and Seagate Space to develop an offshore launch platform, marking the defense giant’s first major investment in commercial sea-based launch capabilities. The collaboration will leverage Firefly’s Alpha rocket, Seagate’s maritime expertise, and Lockheed’s systems integration experience…
-
Firefly Alpha Block 2 targets late summer debut
What improvements does Alpha Block 2 bring to Firefly’s launch capabilities? Firefly Aerospace is targeting a late summer 2026 launch for the first Alpha Block 2 rocket, marking a significant upgrade to the company’s small-lift launch vehicle. The Block 2 variant delivers enhanced payload capacity to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), improved operational efficiency, and streamlined…
-
Lockheed Martin joins collaboration with Firefly Aerospace and Seagate for off-shore launches
An artist’s interpretation of a Firefly Aerospace rocket atop a Seagate Space Gateway Series spaceport. Graphic: Firefly Aerospace/Seagate Space Lockheed Martin is joining in the effort to support a sea-based approach for launching Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket. The 29.48-meter-tall (96.7 ft) rocket currently only launches from Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Space Force Base…
-
Firefly Alpha Flight 7 Delivers Payloads to LEO Successfully
Firefly Aerospace successfully completed its Alpha Flight 7 mission on April 25, 2026, delivering multiple payloads to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The launch marks the seventh operational flight of the Alpha rocket since its first successful mission in October 2022, demonstrating continued reliability for the 1,170 kg payload capacity vehicle. Flight 7 lifted off from…
-
Firefly Aerospace Launches Alpha Flight 7, Tests Block II Upgrades Ahead Of Next Mission
U.S. space and defense company Firefly Aerospace successfully launched its Alpha Flight 7 “Stairway to Seven” mission, sending a demonstrator payload for Lockheed Martin into orbit while testing upgrades planned for the rocket’s next configuration. The Firefly Alpha rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Space Force Base at 5:50 p.m. PDT…
-
Launch Preview: Falcon 9 to dominate another busy week of missions
Eight launches are scheduled worldwide this week, with Falcon 9 again dominating the launch schedule. SpaceX is set to launch a communications satellite and Starlink satellites this week from its Florida and California launch facilities. Meanwhile, Firefly Aerospace was set to launch its Alpha rocket from California on Tuesday, before scrubbing. Internationally, China is scheduled…
-
Firefly Alpha FLTA007 “Stairway to Seven” launches successfully
Firefly Aerospace returned its Alpha launch vehicle to flight after a nearly 10-month stand down following the failed FLTA006 “Message In A Booster” mission in April 2025. FLTA007 “Stairway to Seven” launched from the California coast at 5:50 PM PDT on Wednesday, March 11 (00:50 UTC on March 12) after being delayed again on Monday,…
-
Launch Preview: Falcon 9 to launch five Starlink missions, Firefly to launch Alpha
Seven missions are on this week’s launch manifest, with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 dominating the schedule. Falcon 9 is expected to launch five Starlink missions from SpaceX’s launch sites in Florida and California. Meanwhile, Rocket Lab’s suborbital HASTE rocket will launch a hypersonic test vehicle for Hypersonix from Virginia, and Firefly will return its Alpha vehicle…
-
Launch Preview: Firefly to launch Alpha, SpaceX to launch three Starlink missions
After a brief grounding earlier this month following the Starlink Group 17-32 second stage deorbit anomaly, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 returns to a regular cadence of flights with three Starlink missions this week. However, SpaceX is not the only U.S. launch provider flying this week, as Firefly Space is returning its Alpha to flight following the…
-
Firefly Aerospace Unveils Block II Upgrade for Alpha Rocket Ahead of Flight 7
Firefly Aerospace said it has introduced a Block II configuration upgrade for its Alpha launch vehicle, aiming to improve reliability, streamline production and enhance launch operations as demand grows across commercial, civil and national security missions. The U.S.-based space and defense company said Alpha Flight 7, targeted for launch in the coming weeks, will be…