September 30, 2026 12:00 am

QuickSounder

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Firefly Alpha Block 2

Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
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September 30, 2026 12:00 am

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Last Updated:

2026-07-17 23:05:58

QuickSounder is the first satellite mission of the Near Earth Orbit Network (NEON) program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which aims to replace the current Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) series of polar orbit weather satellites. This pathfinder mission will demonstrate NOAA’s ability to launch a small satellite within 3 years, flying a refurbished Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) instrument to polar orbit.
Launch Overview
Window Open 00:00 UTC
Window Close 00:00 UTC
Lift Off Sep 30, 2026 · 00:00 UTC
Launch Facility Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Launch Pad Space Launch Complex 2W
Target Orbit Sun-Synchronous Orbit
Payload Overview
Customer Firefly Aerospace
Payload QuickSounder
Rocket Firefly Alpha Block 2
Destination Sun-Synchronous Orbit
Recovery Overview
Landing Location See Mission Notes
Landing Type RTLS / Droneship
QuickSounder is the first satellite mission of the Near Earth Orbit Network (NEON) program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which aims to replace the current Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) series of polar orbit weather satellites. This pathfinder mission will demonstrate NOAA’s ability to launch a small satellite within 3 years, flying a refurbished Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) instrument to polar orbit.

Height

LEO Payload

Total Launches

Status

Firefly Aerospace
Space Launch Complex 2W
Launch Overview
Window Open 00:00 UTC
Window Close 00:00 UTC
Lift Off Sep 30, 2026 · 00:00 UTC
Launch Facility Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Launch Pad Space Launch Complex 2W
Target Orbit Sun-Synchronous Orbit
Payload Overview
Customer Firefly Aerospace
Payload QuickSounder
Rocket Firefly Alpha Block 2
Destination Sun-Synchronous Orbit
Recovery Overview
Landing Location See Mission Notes
Landing Type RTLS / Droneship

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