Firefly Aerospace will attempt to return its Alpha small launcher to flight with FLTA007 'Stairway to Seven' from California on March 1, following a nearly 10‑month standdown after an April 2025 ground‑test stage mishap. The mission will validate recent upgrades and ascent performance; earlier attempts were delayed by weather.
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Briefing
The launch ends a nearly 10‑month standdown after an April 2025 ground‑test stage mishap; FLTA007 will exercise hardware and software changes intended to restore flight reliability and demonstrate ascent performance (see Firefly’s ongoing Block II qualification work: Block II qualification testing).
Success or failure will directly affect Firefly’s near‑term launch cadence and the rollout of upgrades tied to commercial and national‑security missions; this return follows an industry pattern of closely watched comeback flights, such as recent Falcon 9 return‑to‑flight missions (context: recent return-to-flight missions).
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Firefly Scrubs Alpha Return-to-Flight Launch Due to High Winds • dailygalaxy.com
Firefly Aerospace set to relaunch Alpha rocket on March 1 after delays • weheadedtomars.com
NASA Spaceflight
• Justin Davenport
Firefly Eyes Late February for Return to Flight • spacescout.info