Stairway To Seven

| Scheduled for UTC | 2025-03-12 00:50:00 | |

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| | 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 | |

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| | 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