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ЦитироватьStairway To Seven
Liftoff Time (UTC)
00:50:00
Thursday February 19, 2026
...
Mission Details
Alpha Flight 7  (FLTA007)
Wiki
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.
Low Earth Orbit

Rocket
Alpha Block 1 rocket by Firefly Aerospace
...

Цитироватьhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSt-p4e0ez4
Alpha Flight 7 Static Fire Complete
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/378462.jpg) (https://www.youtube.com/@FireflySpace)   Firefly Aerospace (https://www.youtube.com/@FireflySpace)
Following a successful 20 second static fire, the Alpha Flight 7 launch window will open no earlier than February 18. Stay tuned for more on the test flight.
https://fireflyspace.com/missions/alpha-flta007/

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/392320.png)Mission Summary
Alpha Flight 7 is the last flown in the rocket's current configuration and serves as a test flight with the primary goal to achieve nominal first and second stage performance.
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.
The subsystems tested on Flight 7, including the in-house avionics and thermal improvements, will allow Firefly to gain flight heritage and validate lessons learned ahead of the full configuration upgrade.

ЦитироватьStairway To Seven
Liftoff Time (UTC)
00:20:00
Saturday February 21, 2026

ЦитироватьStairway To Seven
Liftoff Time (UTC)
00:20:00
Saturday February 28, 2026

ЦитироватьFirefly Aerospace  @FireflySpace
Alpha Flight 7 is now targeting no earlier than February 27 for launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base.

With severe weather in the local area this week, we're working closely with @SLDelta30 and taking an abundance of caution for this test flight as part of our focus on enhanced safety, quality, and reliability. Stay tuned for more.

ЦитироватьFirefly Aerospace  @FireflySpace
Due to high upper-level winds projected for Friday, Alpha Flight 7 is now scheduled to launch no earlier than Saturday, February 28 with backup days on March 1 and 2. Firefly will continue to work closely with @SLDelta30  to monitor the winds ahead of the upcoming test flight.

ЦитироватьFirefly Aerospace  @FireflySpace
Our Alpha Flight 7 team is getting ready to step into the final Launch Readiness Review ahead of the Stairway to Seven. More to come on this weekend's test flight soon!
(Photo credit: @seanparkerphoto / Firefly Aerospace)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/392925.jpg)

ЦитироватьFirefly Aerospace  @FireflySpace
As we continue to monitor upper-level winds, Firefly is now targeting to launch Alpha Flight 7 no earlier than Sunday, March 1. Fairing transport and mating is underway. More to come soon on the Stairway to Seven test flight!

ЦитироватьFirefly Aerospace  @FireflySpace  ·  Feb 28
Launch Readiness Review complete for Alpha Flight 7! Our two-hour launch window opens tomorrow at 4:50 pm PT. We're still working closely with @SLDelta30 to monitor upper-level winds while the team moves into the countdown for the Stairway to Seven.

Key objectives for this test flight:
- Achieve nominal first & second stage performance
- Test & validate key subsystems ahead of Alpha's Block II upgrade on Flight 8

We'll go live with @NASAspaceflight 20 minutes before liftoff: https://youtube.com/live/nyVbmoRXcvc?si=kuDBd5UVX8ew-p10

ЦитироватьFirefly Aerospace  @FireflySpace
Big steps are underway for the Stairway to Seven! The Alpha Flight 7 team rolled out the fairing and mated it to our rocket. We'll keep you updated as we continue to work with @SLDelta30 to monitor the winds for tomorrow as we prepare for our test flight with the two-hour window opening at 4:50 p.m. PT
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/392967.jpg)

Цитироватьhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyVbmoRXcvc
Alpha Flight 7 "Stairway To Seven"
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/378462.jpg) (https://www.youtube.com/@FireflySpace)  Firefly Aerospace (https://www.youtube.com/@FireflySpace)
Alpha Flight 7 is the last flown in the rocket's current configuration and serves as a test flight with the primary goal to achieve nominal first and second stage performance.
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.
The subsystems tested on Flight 7, including the in-house avionics and thermal improvements, will allow Firefly to gain flight heritage and validate lessons learned ahead of the full configuration upgrade.
The Alpha FLTA007 Stairway To Seven mission is prepared to launch no earlier than Sunday, March 1, 2026. A 2 hour window begins at 4:50PM PST. Stairway To Seven will launch from Firefly's SLC-2 complex at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
For more details on the Alpha FLTA007 Stairway To Seven mission and live stream, visit https://fireflyspace.com/missions/alp...
Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company that enables government and commercial customers to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. As the partner of choice for responsive space missions, Firefly is the only commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with an approximate 24-hour notice. Firefly is also the only company to achieve a fully successful landing on the Moon. Established in 2017, Firefly's engineering, manufacturing, and test facilities are co-located in central Texas to enable rapid innovation. The company's small- to medium-lift launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles are built with common flight-proven technologies to enable speed, reliability, and cost efficiencies for each mission from low Earth orbit to the Moon and beyond. For more information, visit www.fireflyspace.com.
Live stream production services for this launch are provided by NASASpaceflight.com, ‪@NASASpaceflight‬.

ЦитироватьFirefly Aerospace  @FireflySpace
The Alpha Flight 7 team is working through the final steps ahead of the Stairway to Seven as we continue to monitor high upper-level winds. Our two-hour launch window for the test flight opens at 4:50 pm PT tonight, and our livestream co-hosted with @NASAspaceflight will begin 20 minutes before liftoff. Sign up to get notified when we go live here: https://youtube.com/live/nyVbmoRXcvc?si=T8cOoAndHVt2tQlg
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/392976.jpg)

ЦитироватьFirefly Aerospace  @FireflySpace
Alpha Flight 7 has been scrubbed today due to high upper-level winds that exceed FAA safety parameters. The team will work closely with @SLDelta30 to determine the next available launch date for the Stairway to Seven test flight. Stay tuned for more information.

ЦитироватьDillon  @Dillonshrop06
Hazard Map for Stairway to Seven
https://bit.ly/4cNReRI                       
NET March 02 0050 UTC
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/392995.png)  (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/392996.jpg)

Цитата: zandr от 02.03.2026 05:51:05scrubbed today due to high upper-level winds that exceed FAA safety parameters

ЦитироватьStairway To Seven
Liftoff Time (UTC)
00:50:00
Tuesday March 10, 2026

Цитата: Demir_Binici от 02.03.2026 12:41:39Starlink Group 17-23 вчера нормально улетели. Либо для них какие-то другие "FAA safety parameters", либо ветер другой. ;)

Цитата: Astro Cat от 06.03.2026 07:10:16а тут ретроградная?

Цитата: Astro Cat от 06.03.2026 07:10:16У Старлинка прямая орбита

ЦитироватьFirefly Aerospace  @FireflySpace
In collaboration with @SLDelta30 , Firefly confirmed March 9 as the next available launch date for Alpha Flight 7 with a backup day on March 10. The two-hour launch window opens at 5:50 pm PT, and our live broadcast with @NASAspaceflight will begin 20 minutes before liftoff. Alpha remains ready to launch the Stairway to Seven test flight. More to come soon. https://youtube.com/live/nyVbmoRXcvc
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/393277.jpg)

ЦитироватьFirefly Aerospace  @FireflySpace
Stepping into the Stairway to Seven! The team completed the launch readiness review and we are GO to move into final operations for Alpha Flight 7.
The two-hour launch window for this test flight will open at 5:50 pm PT tomorrow. Our livestream with @NASASpaceflight will begin 20 minutes before liftoff.

Цитироватьhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyVbmoRXcvc
Alpha Flight 7 "Stairway To Seven"
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/378462.jpg) (https://www.youtube.com/@FireflySpace)  Firefly Aerospace (https://www.youtube.com/@FireflySpace)

Спойлер

Alpha Flight 7 is the last flown in the rocket's current configuration and serves as a test flight with the primary goal to achieve nominal first and second stage performance.
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.
The subsystems tested on Flight 7, including the in-house avionics and thermal improvements, will allow Firefly to gain flight heritage and validate lessons learned ahead of the full configuration upgrade.
The Alpha FLTA007 Stairway To Seven mission is prepared to launch no earlier than Sunday, March 1, 2026. A 2 hour window begins at 4:50PM PST. Stairway To Seven will launch from Firefly's SLC-2 complex at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
For more details on the Alpha FLTA007 Stairway To Seven mission and live stream, visit https://fireflyspace.com/missions/alp...
Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company that enables government and commercial customers to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. As the partner of choice for responsive space missions, Firefly is the only commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with an approximate 24-hour notice. Firefly is also the only company to achieve a fully successful landing on the Moon. Established in 2017, Firefly's engineering, manufacturing, and test facilities are co-located in central Texas to enable rapid innovation. The company's small- to medium-lift launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles are built with common flight-proven technologies to enable speed, reliability, and cost efficiencies for each mission from low Earth orbit to the Moon and beyond. For more information, visit www.fireflyspace.com.
Live stream production services for this launch are provided by NASASpaceflight.com, ‪@NASASpaceflight‬.

[свернуть]

ЦитироватьFirefly Aerospace  @FireflySpace
T-4 hours until the Stairway to Seven test flight and fueling is now underway! Our two-hour launch window opens at 5:52 pm PT and we'll be live with @NASASpaceflight 20 mins before liftoff. https://youtube.com/live/nyVbmoRXcvc?si=6gZTjcIiT7GBy5vN
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/393363.jpg)

ЦитироватьFirefly Aerospace  @FireflySpace
Out of an abundance of caution, Firefly made the decision to stand down on today's Alpha Flight 7 test flight to investigate a sensor reading that was out of range. Once verification is complete, the team will work with @SLDelta30  to confirm our next available launch date. Stay tuned for more information.

ЦитироватьFirefly Aerospace  @FireflySpace

Спойлер

The Alpha Flight 7 team completed testing and verified all sensors are reading nominal. We've stepped back into final launch operations for liftoff of the Stairway to Seven tonight!
The two-hour launch window for this test flight opens at 5:50 pm PT and our livestream with @NASASpaceflight will begin 20 minutes before liftoff. Sign up to get notified when we go live here: https://youtube.com/live/nyVbmoRXcvc

[свернуть]

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/393436.jpg)

ЦитироватьFirefly Aerospace  @FireflySpace
We are standing down for today's Alpha Flight 7 launch attempt after the team saw some off-nominal readings during fluids loading. We continue to be intentionally cautious with a focus on quality and reliability leading up to this test flight.  We will work with the @SLDelta30 to determine the next available window. More to come soon.

ЦитироватьFirefly Aerospace  @FireflySpace
The Alpha Flight 7 team is moving forward with another launch attempt tonight after running additional tests on our fluid systems. The two-hour launch window for this test flight opens at 5:50 pm PT and our livestream with @NASASpaceflight will begin 20 minutes before liftoff. Sign up to get notified when we go live here: https://youtube.com/live/nyVbmoRXcvc
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/393444.jpg)

ЦитироватьVANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif, March 11, 2026 – Firefly Aerospace (Nasdaq: FLY), a market leading space and defense technology company, today announced the successful launch of its Alpha Flight 7 Stairway to Seven mission. Alpha lifted off from Firefly's Space Launch Complex 2 at the Vandenberg Space Force Base at 5:50 pm PDT on March 11 before completing an orbital insertion and delivering a demonstrator payload for Lockheed Martin.

Firefly's Alpha rocket also performed a stage two engine relight and validated key Alpha Block II upgrades, including a new in-house avionics suite and enhanced thermal protection system, ahead of the full Block II configuration upgrade planned for Flight 8.

"Alpha Flight 7 was flawlessly executed with all mission requirements completed, further proving the resiliency, innovation, and passion of the Firefly team," said Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. "Over the last several months, we took a hard look at our processes across engineering, production, test, integration, and operations and invested the time required to make a series of improvements to ensure a higher level of quality and reliability in every Alpha we deliver and launch as we move to our Block II upgrade."

The Firefly team is now working to complete the final milestones for Alpha Flight 8 that is set to launch the full Block II configuration upgrade designed to enhance reliability and manufacturability across the vehicle. The upgrades include a 7-foot increase to Alpha's length, consolidated batteries and avionics built in house, improved thermal protection system, and stronger carbon composite structures built with automated machinery.

"Flight 7 served as a critical opportunity to validate Alpha's performance ahead of our Block II upgrade, and this team knocked it out of the park," said Adam Oakes, Vice President of Launch at Firefly Aerospace. "I'm incredibly proud of the Firefly team for continuing to define perseverance. We have full confidence in our Alpha rocket, and we're committed to continuous improvement as we roll out Block II. We want to thank Space Launch Delta 30 and our customers for their ongoing collaboration and support."

ЦитироватьFirefly Aerospace  @FireflySpace
Ooh, it makes me wonder! Share your Alpha Flight 7 photos and videos and let us know where you caught tonight's Stairway to Seven launch. Follow along on Flickr to see more gorgeous shots here: https://flickr.com/photos/fireflyspace/albums/72177720331723642
Photo Credit: (@seanparkerphoto / Firefly Aerospace)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/393446.jpg)

Цитироватьhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVAo5mNkPAI 1:50
Firefly Alpha test launch (FLTA007)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/220832.jpg)  SciNews (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjU6ZwoTQtKWfz1urL7XcbA)
Firefly Aerospace's seventh Firefly Alpha launch vehicle (Alpha Flight 7 – FLTA007) was launched on the test mission "Stairway to Seven", from the Firefly SLC-2 launchpad at the Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on 12 March 2026, at 00:50 UTC (11 March, at 17:50 PDT). According to Firefly Aerospace, the primary goal of the test flight was to achieve nominal first and second stage performance.
Credit: Firefly Aerospace/NSF

ЦитироватьThe Firefly Alpha launch appears to have been fully successful. The LM-400 test satellite is being tracked in a  401 x 405 km x 123.0 deg orbit, and the Alpha second stage made a perigee lowering burn at about 0140 UTC to 231 x 423 km x 123.1 deg.

ЦитироватьJonathan McDowell  @planet4589
The Firefly Alpha launch appears to have been fully successful. The LM-400 test satellite is being tracked in a  401 x 405 km x 123.0 deg orbit, and the Alpha second stage made a perigee lowering burn at about 0140 UTC to 231 x 423 km x 123.1 deg.

Цитата: полтора_землекопа от 13.03.2026 07:48:45Картинка из запрещенной соцсети (https://x.com/GewoonLukas_/status/2032192596030996603)

Цитировать2026-046A    68127   ICOR SV    92.55   123.09   408   391   0.0012939
2026-046B    68128   FIREFLY ALPHA R/B   92.55   123.09   408   390   0.0013182

Цитироватьhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcDB31pep5U
Mission Success! Alpha Flight 7 Recap
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/378462.jpg) (https://www.youtube.com/@FireflySpace)  Firefly Aerospace (https://www.youtube.com/@FireflySpace)
Alpha Flight 7 successfully launched at 5:50 pm PDT on March 11, 2026, before completing an orbital insertion and delivering a demonstrator payload for Lockheed Martin.
Learn more about the mission here: https://fireflyspace.com/missions/alpha-flta007/

ЦитироватьCosmic Penguin  @Cosmic_Penguin
The USSF has apparently now listed the Lockheed Martin satellite (2026-046A/68127) as "ICOR SV" - anyone want to guess on what the name means? ("SV" = "Space Vehicle"?)

Цитата: полтора_землекопа от 13.03.2026 08:02:47Такой иероглиф кто-нибудь где-нибудь встречал?

Цитата: anik от 13.03.2026 07:19:13Всё интереснее и интереснее. Название полезной нагрузки ICOR SV. И вторая ступень на такой же орбите, что и она. Хотя МакДауэлл вчера написал, что ступень понизила орбиту. Но при этом на круговую орбиту высотой 400 км без двух включений второй ступени, как я понимаю, вряд ли на Alpha можно попасть.

ЦитироватьLockheed Martin использует ICOR-SV, чтобы показать потенциальным заказчикам надежность и возможности своей платформы LM-400 в реальных условиях орбиты.

Цитировать2026-046A    68127   ICOR SV    90.54   123.08   378   224   0.0115038