Firefly Alpha "Stairway To Seven" Launch Thread (take two)

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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.

Firefly mission page

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7

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OP edited

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.

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OP

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.

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OP edited

Stage separation and stage 2 ignition!

Edit: And fairing jettison.

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SECO and nominal orbit insertion confirmed!

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OP

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.

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