Firefly AerospaceFirefly AlphaSpace Launch Complex 2W, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
FLTA001 (Maiden Flight)
Launched
September 3, 2021
Image: Firefly Aerospace / Jack Beyer
Summary
FLTA001 (Maiden Flight) launched on a Firefly Aerospace Firefly Alpha from Space Launch Complex 2W, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA on September 3, 2021. The mission failed: The launch vehicle was destroyed after reaching Max-Q, exact reason unknown yet. It was Firefly Aerospace's 1st launch, 1st this year and humanity's 6,122nd orbital launch attempt. It was the 1st Firefly Alpha flight. The payload was bound for low Earth orbit (LEO).
- Result
- The launch vehicle was destroyed after reaching Max-Q, exact reason unknown yet.
- Watch
- Watch Firefly launch their FIRST EVER orbital rocket, Alpha!Everyday Astronaut
- Vehicle
- Firefly Alpha · Firefly Aerospace
- Booster
- No booster details on record.
- Mission
- Test Flight · Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
- Milestone
- 1st Firefly Alpha flightFirefly Aerospace's 1st launch1st this yearhumanity's 6,122nd orbital launch attempt85th orbital launch attempt this year
Webcast
Flight preview
About this launch
First flight of the new Firefly Alpha small sat launcher developed by Firefly Aerospace. It will carry Firefly’s DREAM (Dedicated Research & Education Accelerator Mission), which includes various payloads like cubesats, personal items, pictures, DNA samples and more to inspire young people to pursue STEM education.
Pad
Space Launch Complex 2W, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
93rd launch from Space Launch Complex 2W, 1st this year · 689th from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
99 launches from this pad · 919 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
about 3 years after the previous launch from this pad
Updates
The launch vehicle was destroyed after reaching Max-Q, exact reason unknown yet.
Show 6 earlier updates
Weather 100%
Nosu · 9/2/2021 · source
Launch window announced via EDA.
Nosu · 8/27/2021 · source
Launch is NET Sep 2.
spacevogel · 8/19/2021 · source
Launch is NET mid-June.
Cosmic_Penguin · 5/4/2021 · source
NET March 14th
SwGustav · 1/29/2021 · source
Launch is NET January 2021
spacevogel · 11/27/2020 · source
Questions
When did FLTA001 (Maiden Flight) launch?
FLTA001 (Maiden Flight) launched on September 3, 2021. The time is known to the hour, not the minute.
Why did FLTA001 (Maiden Flight) fail?
The launch vehicle was destroyed after reaching Max-Q, exact reason unknown yet.
Where can I watch FLTA001 (Maiden Flight)?
Coverage: Watch Firefly launch their FIRST EVER orbital rocket, Alpha!. Watch the replay
What rocket launched FLTA001 (Maiden Flight)?
Firefly Alpha, flown by Firefly Aerospace. Firefly Alpha spec sheet
Where did FLTA001 (Maiden Flight) launch from?
Space Launch Complex 2W, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.
What orbit was FLTA001 (Maiden Flight) going to?
Low Earth Orbit (LEO), a test flight mission.