MISSION OVERVIEW
Sixth flight of the Firefly Alpha small satellite launcher, launching the demonstration mission for Lockheed Martin’s new LM400 satellite bus, which will carry a communications payload. The satellite bus is customizable to support different missions, including remote sensing, communications, imagery and radar Earth observations. It can also support different kinds of orbits and launch configurations.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Firefly AlphaAGENCY
Firefly AerospaceMISSION
FLTA006 (Message in a Booster)
MISSION TYPE
Technology
TARGET ORBIT
Low Earth Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Space Launch Complex 2WLAUNCH SITE
Vandenberg SFB, CA, USACOUNTRY
USA
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMED
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: d6dd6900-332e-4e9e-89b8-dfa4ba285822
Reported date: Apr 29, 2025 at 13:37 UTC
Last synced: 2 hours ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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VEHICLE — Firefly Alpha →
MANUFACTURER
Firefly Aerospace
FLIGHTS
7
SUCCESSES
4
SUCCESS RATE
57.1%
Firefly Alpha (Firefly α) is a two-stage orbital expendable launch vehicle developed by the American aerospace company Firefly Aerospace to cover the commercial small satellite launch market. Alpha is intended to provide launch options for both full vehicle and ride share customers.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Firefly Alpha | FLTA006 (Message in a Booster) launch?
The Firefly Alpha | FLTA006 (Message in a Booster) is scheduled for Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 1:37 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: FAILURE.
What rocket is being used for FLTA006 (Message in a Booster)?
The Firefly Alpha | FLTA006 (Message in a Booster) mission uses the Firefly Alpha rocket, manufactured by Firefly Aerospace. The Firefly Alpha has flown 7 times with a 57.1% success rate.
Where is the Firefly Alpha | FLTA006 (Message in a Booster) launching from?
The launch takes place from Space Launch Complex 2W at Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.
What orbit is FLTA006 (Message in a Booster) going to?
The FLTA006 (Message in a Booster) mission is targeting Low Earth Orbit.
Who is launching FLTA006 (Message in a Booster)?
The Firefly Alpha | FLTA006 (Message in a Booster) is operated by Firefly Aerospace.
Can I watch the Firefly Alpha | FLTA006 (Message in a Booster) launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Mar 25, 2026 00:38 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 25, 2026 00:38 UTC
Launch date set: Apr 29, 2025 at 13:37 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Firefly Aerospace
Mar 25, 2026 00:38 UTC
Launch failure reported
Updated via Launch Library 2
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 2 hours ago
●Launch Library 22 hours ago
Launch ID: d6dd6900-332e-4e9e-89b8-dfa4ba285822
●Open-Meteo Weather2 hours ago
Pad weather at 34.76, -120.62
