FLTA006 (Message in a Booster)
Firefly Alpha
Firefly Aerospace
Rocket Launch Video
Weather Forecast During Launch
According to weather officials, there's a 90% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch.
Rocket Launch Timeline
Enhance your rocket launch experience with a detailed timeline! From pre-launch preparations to post-launch milestones, a well-structured schedule ensures every step—payload prep, safety checks, and liftoff—runs smoothly. Stay informed and follow the action with precision.
| T- 00 : 00 : 02 | Ignition Start of the engine ignition sequence |
| T+ 00 : 00 : 00 | Liftoff First upwards movement of the rocket |
| T+ 00 : 00 : 56 | Supersonic Vehicle is supersonic |
| T+ 00 : 01 : 06 | Max-Q Maximum dynamic pressure |
| T+ 00 : 02 : 33 | MECO Cut-off of the main engine |
| T+ 00 : 02 : 37 | Stage 2 Separation Separation of the second stage from the first |
| T+ 00 : 02 : 39 | SES Start of the second engine |
| T+ 00 : 02 : 58 | Fairing Separation Separation of the payload fairing |
| T+ 00 : 08 : 28 | SECO Cut-off of the second engine |
| T+ 00 : 12 : 42 | Payload Separation Final deployment of the payload from the rocket |
Mission
FLTA006 (Message in a Booster)
- Type: Technology
- Orbit: Low Earth Orbit
- Launch Cost: $15,000,000
Sixth flight of the Firefly Alpha small satellite launcher, launching the demonstration mission for Lockheed Martin's new LM400 satellite bus, which will carry a communications payload. The satellite bus is customizable to support different missions, including remote sensing, communications, imagery and radar Earth observations. It can also support different kinds of orbits and launch configurations.
Problem during stage separation and second stage ignition caused disintegration of the separated 1st stage and the loss of the Lightning engine nozzle extension on the 2nd stage, substantially reducing the engine’s thrust. 2nd stage reached 320 km in altitude but did not reach orbital velocity, eventually impacted the Pacific Ocean north of Antarctica.
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 FLTA006 (Message in a Booster) launch scheduled?
The Firefly Aerospace Firefly Alpha FLTA006 (Message in a Booster) launch was scheduled for:
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Where can I watch the Firefly Aerospace Firefly Alpha FLTA006 (Message in a Booster) 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 FLTA006 (Message in a Booster) 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 FLTA006 (Message in a Booster) mission?
The FLTA006 (Message in a Booster) 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 FLTA006 (Message in a Booster) launch?
The Firefly Aerospace Firefly Alpha FLTA006 (Message in a Booster) 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 FLTA006 (Message in a Booster) 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 FLTA006 (Message in a Booster) 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.