Firefly Alpha | TacSat
13/03/2025 Ultimo aggiornamento
CEO: Peter Schumacher Amministratore
To Be Determined Status

Firefly Alpha | TacSat

Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

Orbital Launch Attempt Count: 6962

Location Launch Attempt Count: 808

Pad Launch Attempt Count: 99

Agency Launch Attempt Count: 7

Launch Designator:

Net Precision: Year Half 1

Weather Concerns:

Fail Reason:

Flightclub URL:

Pad Turnaround: P61D

Programma

Pad

Delta II 7920-10 liftoff from SLC-2W (NROL-21)
Space Launch Complex 2W

Vandenberg Space Force Base is a United States Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California. Established in 1941, Vandenberg Space Force Base is a space launch base, launching spacecraft from the Western Range, and also performs missile testing. The United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 30 serves as the host delta for the base, equivalent to an Air Force air base wing. In addition to its military space launch mission, Vandenberg Space Force Base also hosts space launches for civil and commercial space entities, such as NASA and SpaceX.

Rocket

Firefly Alpha liftoff (FLTA004)
Firefly Alpha

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.

Full Name: Firefly Alpha

Maiden Flight: 2021-09-03

Total Launch Count: 5

Successful Launches: 3

Failed Launches: 2

Mission

Mission Name: TacSat

Type: Technology

Description: First of up to 25 launches of Low Earth Orbit technology demonstration satellites to be built and operated by Lockheed Martin. TacSat is an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance spacecraft with a mission to prove specialized sensing and communications capabilities on orbit. The satellite will participate in exercises that highlight cross-domain kill-web connectivity, enabling timely execution of tactical space missions. TacSat will host a proven Lockheed Martin infrared sensor on board that brings previously developed technology to space for the first time. This sensor produces high quality imagery and it can interface with federated Battle Management Command & Control (BMC2) combat systems to provide joint forces with a comprehensive view of threats. The satellite will also feature Lockheed Martin’s first 5G.MIL® payload on orbit. This provides cellular-like networking for military space assets, making satellite constellations more resilient. It also helps enable seamless connectivity with tools in the air, at sea and on land. Launch operation will also again demonstrate responsive space pre-launch operation capabilities.

Orbit: Low Earth Orbit