Firefly Returns To Flight With First Launch In 11 Months

A Firefly Aerospace Alpha rocket lifts off from Vandenberg SFB, California, on March 11, 2026. Credit: Firefly

A Firefly Aerospace Alpha rocket lifts off from Vandenberg SFB, California, on March 11.

Credit: Firefly
Firefly Aerospace launched its Alpha rocket for the first time in nearly one year on March 11, following a spate of mishaps in 2025 and marking the small lift launch vehicle’s final launch in its current configuration. The mission, called “Stairway to Seven” for Flight 7, lifted off from the company...
Vivienne Machi

Vivienne Machi is the military space editor for Aviation Week based in Los Angeles.

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