FLTA006 (Message in a Booster)
Firefly Alpha, Firefly Aerospace
Space Launch Complex 2W, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Launch time
Window opens
Tue 29 Apr, 15:37 CEST
13:37 UTC
The rocket did not reach orbit, or the payload did not separate from it.
- Window closes
How sure is this date?
The source gives minute precision. Launch plans can change.
Launch probability 90%
Launch record updated by LL2
Feed checkedMission
FLTA006 (Message in a Booster) on Firefly Alpha. Tue 29 Apr 2025, 13:37 UTC. Reported outcome: Failure. Launch site: Space Launch Complex 2W. Source: Launch Library 2.
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.
- Mission type
- Technology
- Orbit
- Low Earth Orbit
Mission patches
- Firefly_Alpha_FLTA006_Message_In_A_Booster
Patch artwork is not shown because its image licence is unconfirmed.
Launch timeline
Times are relative to liftoff. Clock times are not shown while T-0 is unconfirmed or on hold.
- T-2 s
Ignition
Start of the engine ignition sequence
- T-0
Liftoff
First upwards movement of the rocket
- T+56 s
Supersonic
Vehicle is supersonic
- T+1 min 6 s
Max-Q
Maximum dynamic pressure
- T+2 min 33 s
MECO
Cut-off of the main engine
- T+2 min 37 s
Stage 2 Separation
Separation of the second stage from the first
- T+2 min 39 s
SES
Start of the second engine
- T+2 min 58 s
Fairing Separation
Separation of the payload fairing
- T+8 min 28 s
SECO
Cut-off of the second engine
- T+12 min 42 s
Payload Separation
Final deployment of the payload from the rocket
Slip history
Changes recorded by Space Right Now
No changes since we started tracking on .
Source updates from Launch Library 2 (27)
Announcements supplied by LL2 may predate our tracking. They are separate from changes observed by Space Right Now.
- LL2 update
Launch failure confirmed.
Read the source update - LL2 update
Liftoff!
Read the source update - LL2 update
Official Webcast by Firefly Aerospace has started
Read the source update - LL2 update
Confirmed rescheduling to April 29.
Read the source update - LL2 update
Scrubbed for the day.
Read the source update - LL2 update
Recycled for end of launch window.
Read the source update - LL2 update
Hold at T-4:44.
Read the source update - LL2 update
Countdown resumed.
Read the source update - LL2 update
Hold at T-8 minutes.
Read the source update - LL2 update
Official Webcast by Firefly Aerospace has started
Read the source update - LL2 update
1 day delay due to weather.
Read the source update - LL2 update
Updated launch weather.
Read the source update - LL2 update
Added weather forecast.
Read the source update - LL2 update
GO for launch.
Read the source update - LL2 update
Delayed to NET April 27 per NOTAMs.
Read the source update - LL2 update
NET April 18 per new NOTAMs.
Read the source update - LL2 update
Reverted back to NET April with cancellation of NOTAMs.
Read the source update - LL2 update
NET April 4 per NOTAMs, TBC.
Read the source update - LL2 update
Reverted back to NET March with cancellation of NOTAMs.
Read the source update - LL2 update
NET March 30, TBC.
Read the source update - LL2 update
Reverted back to NET March TBD with cancellations of NOTAMs for March 26/27.
Read the source update - LL2 update
NET March 26.
Read the source update - LL2 update
Delayed due to range conflict.
Read the source update - LL2 update
GO for launch.
Read the source update - LL2 update
NET mid-March.
Read the source update - LL2 update
Launch order swapped with that of TacSat.
Read the source update - LL2 update
Added launch.
Read the source update
Launch pad
Space Launch Complex 2W
Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (US)
Coordinates: 34.7556, -120.6224
View launch pad on a map