FLTA004 (Fly the Lightning)
Firefly Alpha
Firefly Aerospace
Rocket Launch Video
Weather Forecast During Launch
According to weather officials, there's a 60% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch.
Mission
FLTA004 (Fly the Lightning)
- Type: Technology
- Orbit: Low Earth Orbit
- Launch Cost: $15,000,000
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.
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.
Location
Space Launch Complex 2W
Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Find the best place to watch the launch from Vandenberg
Space Launch Complex 2W has witnessed the launch of 98 rockets, including 98 orbital launch attempts. While Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA, has been the site for 862 rocket launches.
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.
Rocket
Firefly Aerospace 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.
Agency
Firefly Aerospace
Firefly Aerospace is an American private aerospace firm based in Austin, Texas, that develops small and medium-sized launch vehicles for commercial launches to orbit.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Firefly Aerospace Firefly Alpha FLTA004 (Fly the Lightning) launch scheduled?
The Firefly Aerospace Firefly Alpha FLTA004 (Fly the Lightning) launch was scheduled for:
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Where can I watch the Firefly Aerospace Firefly Alpha FLTA004 (Fly the Lightning) launch video?
You can watch the Firefly Aerospace Firefly Alpha launch video on this page. The official video includes full mission coverage with multiple camera angles, onboard views, and expert commentary covering pre-launch procedures, liftoff, stage separation, and payload deployment.
Where did the Firefly Aerospace Firefly Alpha FLTA004 (Fly the Lightning) mission launch from?
The Firefly Aerospace Firefly Alpha rocket launched from Space Launch Complex 2W at Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA. 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.
What rocket was used for the FLTA004 (Fly the Lightning) mission?
The FLTA004 (Fly the Lightning) mission launched aboard a Firefly Aerospace Firefly Alpha rocket. 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. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
What weather conditions could have delayed the Firefly Aerospace Firefly Alpha FLTA004 (Fly the Lightning) launch?
The Firefly Aerospace Firefly Alpha FLTA004 (Fly the Lightning) launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.
How can I get updates if the Firefly Aerospace Firefly Alpha FLTA004 (Fly the Lightning) launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest Firefly Aerospace Firefly Alpha launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the FLTA004 (Fly the Lightning) mission. You can also check our space launch schedule for historical launch information. Our mobile app provides push notifications for instant alerts about launch status changes. Official Firefly Aerospace live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.