Firefly Alpha

The initial 2014-vintage design of Alpha was two-stage-to-orbit vehicle with the first stage powered by an FRE-2 methalox engine, which consisted of twelve nozzles arranged in an aerospike configuration.{{cite web|url=https://newatlas.com/firefly-alpha-aerospike-launch-vehicle/32892/|title=Firefly Space Systems unveils Alpha launch vehicle design with aerospike engine|author=Szondy, David|work=New Atlas|date=13 July 2014|access-date=26 August 2020|archive-date=31 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731165012/https://newatlas.com/firefly-alpha-aerospike-launch-vehicle/32892/|url-status=live}} The engine used methane and liquid oxygen as propellants, and completed a full-duration combustor test in September 2016.{{cite news |url=https://www.satellitetoday.com/business/2016/09/29/firefly-alpha-rocket-combustor-completes-full-mission-duty-cycle-test/ |work=Satellite Today |title=Firefly Alpha Rocket Combustor Completes Full Mission Duty Cycle Test |last=Henry |first=Caleb |date=29 September 2016 |access-date=26 August 2020 |archive-date=18 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818064818/https://www.satellitetoday.com/business/2016/09/29/firefly-alpha-rocket-combustor-completes-full-mission-duty-cycle-test/ |url-status=live }} The second stage was to be propelled by the FRE-1 engine{{clarify|with what propellants?|date=October 2022}}, which was to use a conventional bell nozzle. This version of Alpha was intended to carry 400 kg to low Earth orbit.{{cite news |url=http://spacenews.com/building-the-model-t-of-rockets/ |title=Firefly Aims To Build the 'Model T of Rockets' |last=Werner |first=Debra |work=SpaceNews |date=23 November 2015 |access-date=26 August 2020 |archive-date=2 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002003816/https://spacenews.com/building-the-model-t-of-rockets/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/firefly.htm|title=Firefly|website=Gunter's Space Web|author=Krebs, Gunter|access-date=5 November 2018|archive-date=6 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106053412/https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/firefly.htm|url-status=live}}

In 2015, NASA's Launch Services Program awarded Firefly Space Systems, the predecessor to Firefly Aerospace, a US$5.5 million Venture Class Launch Services contract to incentivize the development of Alpha, as part of a program to enable easier space access for the small satellite market.{{cite news|last1=Wistrom|first1=Brent|title=This Cedar Park Rocket Company Just Nabbed a US$5.5 Million NASA Contract|url=https://www.americaninno.com/austin/firefly-space-system-wins-nasa-contract-for-cubesat-launches-in-2018/|access-date=31 March 2018|work=AustinInno|date=14 October 2015|archive-date=1 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401010537/https://www.americaninno.com/austin/firefly-space-system-wins-nasa-contract-for-cubesat-launches-in-2018/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=NASA Awards Venture Class Launch Services Contracts for CubeSat Satellites|url=https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-venture-class-launch-services-contracts-for-cubesat-satellites|publisher=NASA|date=14 October 2015|access-date=31 March 2018|archive-date=21 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121230534/https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-venture-class-launch-services-contracts-for-cubesat-satellites/|url-status=live}} {{PD-notice}}{{clarify|did this 2015 NASA contract with FSS carryover, across the bankruptcy, to Firefly Aerospace? |date=October 2022}}

After the March 2017 bankruptcy of Firefly Space Systems{{cite news|url=http://spacenews.com/firefly-space-systems-assets-to-be-sold/|title=Firefly Space Systems assets to be sold|work=SpaceNews|date=15 March 2017|access-date=15 March 2017|archive-date=9 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509012209/https://spacenews.com/firefly-space-systems-assets-to-be-sold/|url-status=live}} and corporate reorganization to become Firefly Aerospace with new owners and capital, the Alpha launch vehicle was redesigned to a much larger rocket, over twice as much capacity as the Alpha design of 2014. The version 2 Alpha vehicle still utilizes two stages to orbit, but now both are {{cvt|1.8|m}} in diameter and use RP-1/LOX propellants. The main body of the rocket is constructed using a lightweight carbon composite material.

In March 2018, Firefly said that the development of Alpha was expected to cost approximately US$100 million.

In 2024, Firefly Aerospace announced plans to use a Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF) to integrate payloads at Wallops Island, Virginia.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-06-24 |title=Firefly Aerospace Adds Alpha Launch Capability on Wallops Island, Virginia |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/firefly-aerospace-adds-alpha-launch-capability-on-wallops-island-virginia-302180227.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240629170825/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/firefly-aerospace-adds-alpha-launch-capability-on-wallops-island-virginia-302180227.html |archive-date=2024-06-29 |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}

The first test launch and Maiden flight of Firefly Alpha occurred on 3 September 2021 at 01:59 UTC,{{cite web|last=Kordina|first=Florian|url=https://everydayastronaut.com/flta001-dream-alpha/|title=FLTA001 DREAM {{!}} Alpha|work=Everyday Astronaut|date=27 August 2021|access-date=28 August 2021|archive-date=24 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124030123/https://everydayastronaut.com/flta001-dream-alpha/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Foust|first=Jeff|url=https://spacenews.com/firefly-aerospaces-alpha-rocket-ready-for-first-launch/|title=Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket ready for first launch|work=SpaceNews|date=24 August 2021|access-date=28 August 2021|archive-date=2 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002003816/https://spacenews.com/firefly-aerospaces-alpha-rocket-ready-for-first-launch/|url-status=live}} from a leased pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, and was to fly southwest over the Pacific Ocean.{{cite web |last=Neal |first=Mihir |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/09/firefly-maiden-flight-alpha/ |title=Firefly Aerospace's maiden flight of Alpha launch vehicle ends in failure |work=NASASpaceFlight |date=2 September 2021 |access-date=3 September 2021 |archive-date=3 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903004823/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/09/firefly-maiden-flight-alpha/ |url-status=live }} Due to an engine failure caused by a fuel valve electrical connector shearing approximately 15 seconds after the launch, the rocket lost control at transonic speeds approximately two and a half minutes after launch that resulted in manual activation of the flight termination system and loss of the vehicle.{{cite news |title=Firefly Alpha explodes during first launch |url=https://spacenews.com/firefly-alpha-explodes-during-first-launch/ |last=Foust |first=Jeff |work=SpaceNews |date=2 September 2021 |access-date=3 September 2021 |archive-date=28 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228161402/https://spacenews.com/firefly-alpha-explodes-during-first-launch/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=FIREFLY ALPHA TERMINATED MID-FLIGHT |url=https://www.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2763829/firefly-alpha-terminated-mid-flight/ |access-date=2022-10-05 |website=Vandenberg Space Force Base |language=en-US }}

The launch vehicle had onboard various payloads as part of Firefly's DREAM mission{{cite web|last=Berger|first=Eric|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/06/firefly-opens-first-alpha-rocket-launch-to-academic-and-educational-payloads/|title=Firefly opens first Alpha rocket launch to academic and educational payloads|publisher=Ars Technica|date=17 June 2019|access-date=26 August 2020|archive-date=31 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731164448/https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/06/firefly-opens-first-alpha-rocket-launch-to-academic-and-educational-payloads/|url-status=live}}—including Benchmark Space BSS1, Firefly Capsule 1, and PICOBUS{{cite web|title=PICOBUS|url=https://libre.space/projects/picobus/|access-date=20 August 2021|website=Libre Space Foundation|archive-date=24 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724130721/https://libre.space/projects/picobus/|url-status=live}} (intending to deploy six PocketQubes), Hiapo, Spinnaker3, and TIS Serenity{{cite web |url=https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/CRSRA/files/firefly-aerospace.pdf|title=Firefly Alpha First Launch Payloads |website=noaa.gov |publisher=NOAA—National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service |date=3 January 2020 |access-date=9 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627024512/https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/CRSRA/files/firefly-aerospace.pdf|archive-date=27 June 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/CRSRA/pdf/TIS-Serenity-Public-Release-19-Mar-2020.pdf|title=TIS Serenity Publicly-Releasable Summary of Licensed System|work=Teachers in Space, Inc.|publisher=NOAA|date=19 March 2020|access-date=9 September 2020|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109144216/https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/CRSRA/pdf/TIS-Serenity-Public-Release-19-Mar-2020.pdf|url-status=dead}} {{PD-notice}}—which were destroyed.

The Alpha first stage is powered by four Reaver LOX / RP-1 tap-off cycle engines,[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HfHAazNM3Q Firefly Alpha-FLT001 livecast] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002005640/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HfHAazNM3Q |date=2 October 2022 }}, Everyday Astronaut, 2 September 2021. delivering {{cvt|736|kN}} of thrust. The second stage is powered by one Lightning LOX / RP-1 engine, delivering {{cvt|70.1|kN}} of thrust with a specific impulse (I_sp) of 322 seconds.{{cite web |title=Alpha : Economical Small Satellite Launch |url=https://firefly.com/alpha/ |website=firefly.com |date=1 October 2022 |access-date=1 October 2022 |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922082343/https://firefly.com/alpha/ |url-status=live }} Lightning 1 was test-run for nearly 5 minutes on 15 March 2018 during a long duration test fire on Firefly's Test Stand 1 in Briggs, Texas.{{cite news|last1=Richardson|first1=Derek|title=Firefly Aerospace demos its Lightning 1 engine|url=http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/commercial/firefly-aerospace-demos-its-lightning-1-engine-to-sxsw-crowd/|access-date=4 April 2018|work=Spaceflight Insider|date=17 March 2018|archive-date=23 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523003759/http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/commercial/firefly-aerospace-demos-its-lightning-1-engine-to-sxsw-crowd/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Nojas|first1=Charmagne|title=Firefly Aerospace Makes A Comeback With Lightning 1 Engine Demo in Texas|url=http://www.techtimes.com/articles/223210/20180318/firefly-aerospace-makes-a-comeback-with-lightning-1-engine-demo-in-texas.htm|access-date=4 April 2018|work=TechTimes|date=18 March 2018|archive-date=5 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405024935/http://www.techtimes.com/articles/223210/20180318/firefly-aerospace-makes-a-comeback-with-lightning-1-engine-demo-in-texas.htm|url-status=live}}

The Alpha airframe uses all carbon-fiber composite material in its construction. Using carbon-fiber makes the rocket more fuel efficient because the use of denser materials like titanium and aluminum would result in a heavier airframe, which would require more fuel to launch.

Alpha is designed to launch up to 1170 kg of payload to a 200 km low Earth orbit, or up to 745 kg payload to a 500 km Sun-synchronous orbit, suitable for CubeSats and other small payloads. Primary payloads can be integrated by themselves or with a secondary payload, with vehicle capacity for up to 6 CubeSats. This allows Firefly's customers to have a dedicated small-satellite launcher, reducing the issues of ridesharing payloads and secondary payloads. These smaller satellites can have an orbit that is not determined by a larger payload and can launch on their own schedule instead of waiting on the readiness of all other payloads.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-12 |title=The Combination Of Firefly's Alpha Launch Vehicle & Space Utility Vehicle – TheSpaceBucket |url=https://thespacebucket.com/the-combination-of-fireflys-alpha-launch-vehicle-space-utility-vehicle/ |access-date=2024-10-07 |language=en-US}}

Alpha is also intended to be a direct American competitor in the small satellite market to India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), as the company believes that PSLV's ride-share capability threatens U.S. domestic launchers in this market.{{cite news |url=http://www.thespacereview.com/article/3311/1 |title=Small rockets, new and renewed |work=The Space Review |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=21 August 2017 |access-date=26 August 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806192248/https://www.thespacereview.com/article/3311/1 |url-status=live }}

Firefly Aerospace is leasing Vandenberg pad SLC-2W to support Firefly Alpha and Eclipse launches; this launch pad formerly supported Delta, Thor-Agena, and Delta II launch vehicles launches. Additionally, Firefly plans to refurbish and utilize{{when|date=October 2022}} Cape Canaveral SLC-20 for low-inclination launches of Alpha in the future.

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• Rocket Lab Electron
• {{annotated link|Vega (rocket)|Vega}}
• {{annotated link|Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle}}
• {{annotated link|Small Satellite Launch Vehicle}}
• Small-lift launch vehicle

{{Reflist}}

{{US launch systems}}

{{Orbital launch systems}}

{{Portal bar|Spaceflight}}

Category:Space launch vehicles of the United States

Category:Satellite launch anomalies

Category:Firefly Aerospace