LAUNCH CENTER

Partial Failure

60%

Fri Dec 22 2023

Firefly Aerospace

FLTA004 Fly the Lightning

Launch Failure

LAUNCH PREVIEW

Launch Time

(5:32 PM UTC)

Launch Window Start

(5:18 PM UTC)

Launch Window End

(5:48 PM UTC)

RECOVERY OVERVIEW

Location

No Recovery Specified

Type

No Recovery Specified

Rocket Details

Name:

Firefly Alpha

Description:

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.

MISSION OVERVIEW

Type: Technology
Firefly’s Alpha rocket will launch Lockheed Martin’s new wideband Electronically Steerable Antenna (ESA) technology integrated on a Terran Orbital Nebula satellite bus. Developed within Lockheed Martin Space’s Ignite organization using a proprietary design, the ESA payload will demonstrate faster on-orbit sensor calibration to deliver rapid capabilities to U.S. warfighters.

COMPLEX OVERVIEW

Location

Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

Pad

Space Launch Complex 2W