NET 15 February 2027.
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Firefly AerospaceTo Be Determined
QuickSounder
Firefly Alpha Block 2
February 15, 2027 · time pending
Latest published target
February 15, 2027 · time to be confirmed. An exact time has not been published.
Source record updated . This is a source update, not a confirmed launch time.
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Time to target
Target pending
Target time, not a confirmed liftoff.
LAUNCH SITEVandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Mission
QuickSounder is the first satellite mission of the Near Earth Orbit Network (NEON) program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which aims to replace the current Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) series of polar orbit weather satellites. This pathfinder mission will demonstrate NOAA's ability to launch a small satellite within 3 years, flying a refurbished Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) instrument to polar orbit.
- Launch vehicle
- Firefly Alpha Block 2
- Mission type
- Earth Science
- Destination orbit
- Sun-Synchronous Orbit
- Launch pad
- Space Launch Complex 2W
- Provider
- Firefly Aerospace
The vehicle
Published configuration and flight history.
Launch vehicle
Firefly Alpha Block 2
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. The Block 2 version features increased length and structural strength for both stages, optimized propellant tanks and consolidated in-house batteries and avionics.
- Height
- 31.6 m
- Diameter
- 1.82 m
- Stages
- 2
- Recorded launches
- 0
Launch window
A precise launch window has not been published.
Launch site & orbit
Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
The mission in perspective
Launch site & orbit
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Understand this orbit
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Coverage & sources
Links supplied by the mission data provider.
Coverage and times may change.
Mission coverage
No viewing link has been published yet.
Further reading
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