News

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Firefly sets late-summer debut for Alpha Block 2 while SciTec wins Space Force OTA for Golden Dome interceptors

Firefly Aerospace plans to fly its first upgraded Alpha Block 2 rocket late this summer, citing strong demand for the launch vehicle. Separately, Firefly subsidiary SciTec received a U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement for the space-based missile defense “Golden Dome” interceptors.

2026-05-04T18:30:33.232070-07:00

Via Satellite

Lockheed Martin, Firefly Aerospace and Seagate Space partner on sea-based satellite launch for national security missions

2026-05-04T14:04:28.560841-07:00

NASA Spaceflight

Launch preview: SpaceX to fly two Falcon 9 missions and a Chang Zheng 7 to extend Starlink Group 17 by 48 satellites

2026-05-04T12:07:53.549383-07:00

Vertical Mag

Wisk Aero advances certification flight-testing with first flight of second Generation 6 autonomous eVTOL

2026-05-04T09:36:35.049503-07:00

News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

❗️

Firefly sets late-summer debut for Alpha Block 2 while SciTec wins Space Force OTA for Golden Dome interceptors Firefly Aerospace plans to fly its first upgraded Alpha Block 2 rocket late this summer, citing strong demand for the launch vehicle. Separately, Firefly subsidiary SciTec received a U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement for the space-based missile defense “Golden Dome” interceptors.

2026-05-04T18:30:33.232070-07:00

Firefly sets late-summer debut for Alpha Block 2 while SciTec wins Space Force OTA for Golden Dome interceptors

Via Satellite

Lockheed Martin, Firefly Aerospace and Seagate Space partner on sea-based satellite launch for national security missions Lockheed Martin said it is joining a strategic collaboration with Firefly Aerospace and Seagate Space to develop sea-based launch capabilities for national security missions. The May 4 announcement positions the partners to expand operational launch options beyond land-based ranges while leveraging Lockheed’s missile-defense legacy footprint.

2026-05-04T14:04:28.560841-07:00

Lockheed Martin, Firefly Aerospace and Seagate Space partner on sea-based satellite launch for national security missions

NASA Spaceflight

❗️

Launch preview: SpaceX to fly two Falcon 9 missions and a Chang Zheng 7 to extend Starlink Group 17 by 48 satellites For the week commencing May 4, 2026, the launch roster includes two Falcon 9 flights and one Chang Zheng 7. SpaceX’s launches are set to add 48 Starlink satellites to Group 17 within its broader constellation of more than 7,000 spacecraft.

2026-05-04T12:07:53.549383-07:00

Launch preview: SpaceX to fly two Falcon 9 missions and a Chang Zheng 7 to extend Starlink Group 17 by 48 satellites

Vertical Mag

❗️

Wisk Aero advances certification flight-testing with first flight of second Generation 6 autonomous eVTOL Wisk Aero has completed the first flight of its second Generation 6 autonomous air taxi on May 4 in Hollister, California, bringing two Boeing-backed certification aircraft into simultaneous flight testing. The milestone expands Wisk’s flight-test program and increases the certification test rate as it accelerates toward unmanned operations.

2026-05-04T09:36:35.049503-07:00

Wisk Aero advances certification flight-testing with first flight of second Generation 6 autonomous eVTOL

SpaceNews.com

Texas residents sue SpaceX over alleged Starship launch impacts ahead of first flight of Starship v3 Texas residents have filed suit against Elon Musk and SpaceX, alleging that Starship launch activities are harming their homes and quality of life. The legal action arrives as SpaceX prepares for the first flight of Starship version 3, setting up a new friction point for rapid launch operations.

2026-05-04T08:03:41.270470-07:00

Texas residents sue SpaceX over alleged Starship launch impacts ahead of first flight of Starship v3

European Spaceflight

❗️

ESA weighs switching Harmony satellites from Vega C to a two-booster Ariane 6 ESA is considering moving its two Harmony satellites off Vega C and onto a two-booster Ariane 6 configuration. The review highlights how ESA is actively balancing launch-vehicle options as it prepares the Harmony mission, potentially changing the mission’s lift profile and launch-provider mix.

2026-05-04T04:34:05.292634-07:00

ESA weighs switching Harmony satellites from Vega C to a two-booster Ariane 6

Space.com

❗️

SpaceX to launch 45 satellites from California on May 3 (Falcon 9) SpaceX is scheduled to launch 45 satellites into orbit from California in the early hours of May 3, with live coverage available. The planned multi-satellite deployment underscores continued cadence growth in orbital satellite delivery and constellation expansion efforts.

2026-05-02T09:39:35.973820-07:00

SpaceX to launch 45 satellites from California on May 3 (Falcon 9)

NASA Spaceflight

❗️

SpaceX targets mid-May for Starship Flight 12 as Flight 12 window notifications publish SpaceX is moving toward a Starship Flight 12 attempt in mid-May, with an official launch-window notification indicating windows could begin as early as May 12. The update signals the start of renewed attempt planning after the prior shift that pushed the next test flight from April into May.

2026-05-01T14:32:05.958913-07:00

SpaceX targets mid-May for Starship Flight 12 as Flight 12 window notifications publish

Menu

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

Firefly sets late-summer debut for Alpha Block 2 while SciTec wins Space Force OTA for Golden Dome interceptors

Lockheed Martin, Firefly Aerospace and Seagate Space partner on sea-based satellite launch for national security missions

Launch preview: SpaceX to fly two Falcon 9 missions and a Chang Zheng 7 to extend Starlink Group 17 by 48 satellites

Wisk Aero advances certification flight-testing with first flight of second Generation 6 autonomous eVTOL

News Timeline