LAUNCH CENTER

TBD

Sat Feb 28 2026

Firefly Aerospace

QuickSounder

DAYS

HRS

HOURS

MIN

MINUTES

SEC

SECONDS

LAUNCH PREVIEW

Launch Time

(12:00 AM UTC)

Launch Window Start

(12:00 AM UTC)

Launch Window End

(12:00 AM 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: Earth Science
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.

COMPLEX OVERVIEW

Location

Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

Pad

Space Launch Complex 2W