Stairway to Seven
Firefly Alpha
Firefly Aerospace
Rocket Launch Video
Weather Forecast During Launch
The forecast calls for a temperature of 68°F, clear skies, 0% cloud cover and a wind speed of 17mph.
Trajectory
View comprehensive details including the rocket's trajectory, velocity, altitude, thrust, and more at FlightClub.io.
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 : 55 | Supersonic Vehicle is supersonic |
| T+ 00 : 01 : 06 | Max-Q Maximum dynamic pressure |
| T+ 00 : 02 : 32 | MECO Cut-off of the main engine |
| T+ 00 : 02 : 35 | Stage 2 Separation Separation of the second stage from the first |
| T+ 00 : 02 : 38 | SES Start of the second engine |
| T+ 00 : 03 : 03 | Fairing Separation Separation of the payload fairing |
| T+ 00 : 08 : 02 | SECO Cut-off of the second engine |
Mission
Stairway to Seven
- Type: Test Flight
- Orbit: Low Earth Orbit
- Launch Cost: $15,000,000
Firefly Alpha's Flight 7 is a test flight and return-To-Flight for the launch vehicle after its April 2025 launch failure. It 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.
Flight 7 is 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.
This launch also delivered a demonstrator payload for Lockheed Martin.
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 99 rockets, including 99 orbital launch attempts. While Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA, has been the site for 882 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 Stairway to Seven launch scheduled?
The Firefly Aerospace Firefly Alpha Stairway to Seven launch was scheduled for:
.
Where can I watch the Firefly Aerospace Firefly Alpha Stairway to Seven 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 Stairway to Seven 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 Stairway to Seven mission?
The Stairway to Seven 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 Stairway to Seven launch?
The Firefly Aerospace Firefly Alpha Stairway to Seven 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 Stairway to Seven 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 Stairway to Seven 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.