Firefly Aerospace's second demonstration flight- the 'To The Black' mission, is set to test the rockets capabilities in getting payloads to orbit effectively and consistently. It may contain test payloads for educational purposes.

The three payloads are Teachers in Space - Serenity, NASA TechEdSat-15 and Libre Space Foundation - PicoBus.

Image Credit: Firefly Aerospace

The Firefly Alpha is a small-lift launch vehicle developed by Firefly Aerospace. It is designed to provide a cost-effective, reliable option for launching payloads to low Earth orbit (LEO) for commercial, civil, and national security missions.

Specs

Height: 29 m (95 ft)

Diameter: 1.82 m (6 ft)

Mass: 54,000 kg (119,000 lb)

Stages: 2

Payload to LEO (Low Earth Orbit): 1,030 kg (2,270 lb)

Payload to SSO (Sun-Synchronous Orbit): 630 kg (1,390 lb)

First Flight: September 2021

The Alpha uses a tap-off cycle engine for its first stage, with four Reaver engines providing the necessary thrust for launch. The second stage is powered by a single Lightning engine, optimized for vacuum conditions. Alpha is designed for fast, responsive launches, capable of sending payloads to orbit with just 24 hours' notice.

This rocket is primarily intended for launching small satellites and serves as a flexible, on-demand launch solution. The Alpha is part of Firefly’s efforts to provide quick access to space and support a wide range of mission types.

Courtesy of Firefly Aerospace. Photo courtesy of Tom Cross for Supercluster.

SLC-2W (Space Launch Complex 2W) is a launch pad located at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Originally built in the 1960s for the Titan II missile program, it has since been repurposed to support orbital launches. The facility is primarily used for launches that require polar orbits and sun-synchronous orbits (SSO), making it a key site for missions that involve spacecraft requiring these specific trajectories.

Today, SLC-2W is used by several commercial launch providers, including Firefly Aerospace, which conducts launches of their Alpha rocket from the site. The pad has also supported various other rockets over the years, such as the Delta II and Minotaur rockets. Its location over the Pacific Ocean provides a clear and safe launch path, especially for missions that involve high-inclination orbits. This launch complex plays a significant role in enabling small and medium-lift rockets to access space efficiently and safely.

Photo courtesy of Firefly Aerospace, Inc.