Stairway to Seven
Firefly Alpha, Firefly Aerospace
Space Launch Complex 2W, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Launch time
Window opens
Thu 12 Mar, 01:50 CET
00:50 UTC
The rocket put its payload into the planned orbit.
- Window closes
How sure is this date?
The source gives minute precision. Launch plans can change.
Launch record updated by LL2
Feed checkedMission
Stairway to Seven on Firefly Alpha. Thu 12 Mar 2026, 00:50 UTC. Reported outcome: Success. Launch site: Space Launch Complex 2W. Source: Launch Library 2.
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.
- Mission type
- Test Flight
- Orbit
- Low Earth Orbit
Mission patches
- FLTA007_patch
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+55 s
Supersonic
Vehicle is supersonic
- T+1 min 6 s
Max-Q
Maximum dynamic pressure
- T+2 min 32 s
MECO
Cut-off of the main engine
- T+2 min 35 s
Stage 2 Separation
Separation of the second stage from the first
- T+2 min 38 s
SES
Start of the second engine
- T+3 min 3 s
Fairing Separation
Separation of the payload fairing
- T+8 min 2 s
SECO
Cut-off of the second engine
Slip history
Changes recorded by Space Right Now
No changes since we started tracking on .
Source updates from Launch Library 2 (22)
Announcements supplied by LL2 may predate our tracking. They are separate from changes observed by Space Right Now.
- LL2 update
Launch success.
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Liftoff.
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Official Webcast by Firefly Aerospace has started
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Rescheduled for March 11 PDT.
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Scrubbed due to off-nominal readings during fluids loading.
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Confirmed rescheduled for today.
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Reverted to NET March TBD.
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Scrubbed for the day due to sensor issue.
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GO for launch.
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NET March 10 UTC, to be confirmed.
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Scrubbed for the day due to upper level winds.
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New T-0.
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Holding for upper level winds.
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Delayed to March 1 PST due to upper level winds.
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Tweaked launch window.
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Delayed to NET February 28 PST due to launch site weather.
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Updated launch window.
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Delayed to NET February 27 PST.
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Delayed to NET February 20 PST per new marine navigation warnings.
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GO for launch, NET February 18 PST.
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NET February 14 UTC, to be confirmed.
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Added launch.
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Launch pad
Space Launch Complex 2W
Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (US)
Coordinates: 34.7556, -120.6224
View launch pad on a map