Test Flight
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.
Orbital Attempt
#7,223
FA Mission
#7
Pad Launch
#99
Location Launch
#867
Designator
2026-046
Mar 12, 2026, 12:50 AM
Minute
1 update
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.
Length
29.6 m
Diameter
1.82 m
Launch Mass
54 t
Thrust
736 kN
LEO Capacity
1,000 kg
SSO Capacity
630 kg
Launch Cost
$15M
Reusable
No
Maiden Flight
2021
Fastest Turnaround
3mo 8d
Total Launches
7
Successful
4
Failed
3
Consecutive Success
1
Maiden flight: Sep 3, 2021
Launch success.
SourceLiftoff.
SourceOfficial Webcast by Firefly Aerospace has started
SourceRescheduled for March 11 PDT.
SourceScrubbed due to off-nominal readings during fluids loading.
SourceConfirmed rescheduled for today.
SourceReverted to NET March TBD.
SourceScrubbed for the day due to sensor issue.
SourceGO for launch.
SourceNET March 10 UTC, to be confirmed.
SourceScrubbed for the day due to upper level winds.
SourceNew T-0.
SourceHolding for upper level winds.
SourceDelayed to March 1 PST due to upper level winds.
SourceTweaked launch window.
SourceDelayed to NET February 28 PST due to launch site weather.
SourceUpdated launch window.
SourceDelayed to NET February 27 PST.
SourceDelayed to NET February 20 PST per new marine navigation warnings.
SourceGO for launch, NET February 18 PST.
SourceNET February 14 UTC, to be confirmed.
SourceAdded launch.
SourceFirefly Aerospace is an American private aerospace firm based in Austin, Texas, that develops small and medium-sized launch vehicles for commercial launches to orbit.
Founded
2014
Administrator
CEO: Peter Schumacher
Total Launches
7
Successful
4
Failed
3
Pending
4
Consecutive Success
1
Vandenberg Space Force Base is a United States Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California. Established in 1941, Vandenberg Space Force Base is a space launch base, launching spacecraft from the Western Range, and also performs missile testing. The United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 30 serves as the host delta for the base, equivalent to an Air Force air base wing. In addition to its military space launch mission, Vandenberg Space Force Base also hosts space launches for civil and commercial space entities, such as NASA and SpaceX.
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
Local Launch Time
Mar 11, 2026, 5:50 PM
Total Launches
885
Total Landings
34
Coordinates
34.7513, -120.5202