Updated launch status following confirmation of stage 2 2nd burn failure.
Update ↗
Firefly AerospaceLaunch was a Partial Failure
FLTA004 (Fly the Lightning)
Firefly Alpha
Historical mission record
This page records Firefly Alpha | FLTA004 (Fly the Lightning) and its reported outcome: Launch was a Partial Failure. The date above is a historical record.
Source record updated . This is a source update, not a confirmed launch time.
Check the source: Fly the Lightning ↗ · Launch Library ↗
Mission status
Launch was a Partial Failure
Status reported by the mission data provider.
LAUNCH SITEVandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Mission
Firefly’s Alpha rocket will launch Lockheed Martin’s new wideband Electronically Steerable Antenna (ESA) technology integrated on a Terran Orbital Nebula satellite bus. Developed within Lockheed Martin Space’s Ignite organization using a proprietary design, the ESA payload will demonstrate faster on-orbit sensor calibration to deliver rapid capabilities to U.S. warfighters.
- Launch vehicle
- Firefly Alpha
- Mission type
- Technology
- Destination orbit
- Low Earth Orbit
- Launch pad
- Space Launch Complex 2W
- Provider
- Firefly Aerospace
The vehicle
Published configuration and flight history.
Launch vehicle
Firefly Alpha
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.
- Height
- 29.6 m
- Diameter
- 1.82 m
- Stages
- 2
- Recorded launches
- 6
- First flight
- 2021-09-03
Recorded timing
This is a mission record, not an upcoming calendar appointment.
30 minute windowPublished target
WINDOW OPENS
WINDOW CLOSES
Target ·
The target marker shows its position within the published window. The schedule may change before launch.
Mission update
Stage 2 2nd burn suffered problems and did not deliver the payload to its precise target orbit. Communication to the spacecraft has been established and mission operations are now underway.
Launch site & orbit
Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
The mission in perspective
Launch site & orbit
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Understand this orbit
Coverage & sources
Links supplied by the mission data provider.
Coverage and times may change.
Mission coverage
Alpha FLTA004 Fly The Lightning ↗Explore on iPhone
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