Firefly Alpha family
Firefly Alpha Block 2
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. The Block 2 version features increased length and structural strength for both stages, optimized propellant tanks and consolidated in-house batteries and avionics.
Firefly Alpha Block 2 is built by Firefly Aerospace of the United States. Company background, funding, contracts and news for this operator are tracked on Space Index.
Payload
| Low Earth orbit | 1,030kg |
|---|---|
| Sun-synchronous orbit | 630kg |
| Launch cost | $15M |
| Cost per kg to LEO | $14,563 |
Vehicle
| Stages | 2 |
|---|---|
| Length | 31.6m |
| Diameter | 1.82m |
| Launch mass | 54t |
| Liftoff thrust | 736kN |
| Reusable | No |
Pads used
Orbits delivered
Launch history
| Date | Mission | Pad | Orbit | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBD | Firefly Alpha Block 2 | ConnectedCosmos Launch 1 | Space Launch Complex 2W | Polar Orbit | Scheduled |
| TBD | Firefly Alpha Block 2 | TacSat | Space Launch Complex 2W | Low Earth Orbit | Scheduled |
| TBD | Firefly Alpha Block 2 | ConnectedCosmos Launch 2 | Space Launch Complex 2W | Polar Orbit | Scheduled |
| TBD | Firefly Alpha Block 2 | QuickSounder | Space Launch Complex 2W | Sun-Synchronous Orbit | Scheduled |
| TBD | Firefly Alpha Block 2 | ConnectedCosmos Launch 3 | Space Launch Complex 2W | Polar Orbit | Scheduled |
| TBD | Firefly Alpha Block 2 | ConnectedCosmos Launch 4 | Space Launch Complex 2W | Polar Orbit | Scheduled |
| TBD | Firefly Alpha Block 2 | INCUS | Launch Area 0 A | Low Earth Orbit | Scheduled |
Specifications from Launch Library 2 by The Space Devs, launch records from Space Index. Derived figures are computed here; see sources and method.
Further reading: Wikipedia · Operator page