Hazardous operations will be conducted from Vandenberg AFB, CA for Western Range 2343 from 8:48am on 20 December, 2023 until 10:26am on 21 December, 2023. Hazardous operation areas are bounded by the following coordinates:....
Get ready for Alpha #FLTA004 Fly the Lightning! We’re prepared to launch no earlier than Dec. 20 with backup dates through Dec. 22, depending on local weather in Vandenberg. This mission for @LockheedMartin will serve as another opportunity for us to demonstrate our responsive space operations. Stay tuned for the livestream in collaboration with @NASASpaceflight! More on the mission here:
December 18, 2023Firefly Aerospace Ready to Launch Alpha FLTA004 for Lockheed Martin No Earlier Than December 20Alpha FLTA004 Livestream with NASA SpaceflightAs Firefly’s second responsive space operation, Fly the Lightning will get on-orbit capabilities into the hands of U.S. warfighters fasterVANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif, – December 18, 2023 – Firefly Aerospace, an end-to-end space transportation company, today announced its Alpha FLTA004 Fly the Lightning mission is prepared to launch no earlier than December 20 with backup dates through December 22, depending on local weather. The daily 20-minute launch window will open at 9:18 am PST.The Fly the Lightning mission will deploy an Electronically Steered Antenna (ESA) payload developed by Lockheed Martin to demonstrate rapid delivery of on-orbit capabilities for U.S. warfighters. As a secondary objective, the mission team will further demonstrate responsive space capabilities by tracking and improving the total working hours required from payload receival to launch readiness compared to Alpha FLTA003, the record-breaking VICTUS NOX mission.“On the heels of our successful Alpha launch for the U.S Space Force, the Firefly team will continue to push the limits and set new standards in the industry, operating at a rapid pace for Alpha FLTA004 and future missions in response to the needs of our customers,” said Bill Weber, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. “This team is utilizing lessons from our VICTUS NOX mission to fundamentally change how quickly both government and commercial customers can process their payloads and launch assets to space.”During the final launch operations, the team will transport the payload faring to the launch pad and mate it to Firefly’s Alpha rocket using similar responsive operations to VICTUS NOX. The launch is being observed by members of the U.S. Space Force Tactically Responsive Space team to inform future missions and the requirements for repeatable on-demand launch capabilities.“Through the VICTUS NOX demonstration, the Space Force proved the United States can rapidly respond to national security threats in space on an unprecedented timeline,” said Lt. Col. Justin Beltz, Materiel Leader and Chief of the Small Launch and Targets Division of the U.S. Space Force. “We’re now focused on transforming Tactically Responsive Space from a groundbreaking achievement into a repeatable capability. By partnering with Firefly to observe Alpha FLT004, we can continue to build synergy with commercial industry and further define the training, infrastructure, and operational requirements for long-term repeatability.”Fly the Lightning will launch from Firefly’s SLC-2 complex at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Firefly’s new payload processing facility at its launch site allows the team to rapidly fuel and integrate payloads in a clean room environment. The company’s flight-proven Alpha rocket, lifting more than 1,000 kg to low Earth orbit, further enables direct, on-demand deliveries when and where customers need to fly. “What we’re most excited about is that this mission features several firsts – a new payload, built rapidly in a new way, with Firefly as a new launch partner,” said Bob Behnken, director of Technology Acceleration for Lockheed Martin’s Ignite organization. “This also marks the first of our self-funded technology demonstrations through Lockheed Martin’s Ignite organization, created to accelerate development projects like this, push limits and expand capabilities for customers.”Lockheed Martin’s ESA demonstrator payload, integrated on a Terran Orbital Nebula small satellite bus. The payload was developed by Lockheed Martin’s Ignite organization stood up to focus on exploratory research and development, accelerating the pace of technology development, and introducing new product innovations.For more details on the Alpha FLTA004 Fly the Lightning mission and livestream, visit https://fireflyspace.com/missions/fly-the-lightning/.
Alpha FLTA004 Livestream with NASA Spaceflight
It’s L-1 for the Fly the Lightning mission on our Alpha #FLTA004 rocket! Fireflies are preparing for another rapid launch operation where the encapsulated payload fairing will be mated to the rocket just hours before liftoff. We're hoping Mother Nature cooperates for a liftoff of @LockheedMartin's payload tomorrow morning from @SLDelta30. Sign up for the livestream here: youtube.com/watch?v=QMJv-5…
Heads up West Coast, if weather conditions cooperate, you may be able to catch a glimpse of our Alpha rocket launch! Our Fly the Lightning mission is scheduled to liftoff from Vandenberg, California, as early as tomorrow morning at 9:18 am PST. Starting at T-0, use this visibility map to see when you can view Alpha #FLTA004.
What time is the launch tomorrow?
Somewhere over the rainbow, our Alpha rocket is feeling the good vibes as the Fly the Lightning launch countdown is officially underway. This hardworking team is once again conducting their rapid operations for this @LockheedMartin mission. Tune into the #FLTA004 livestream here, starting at T-60 minutes: youtube.com/watch?v=QMJv-5….Photo credit: Firefly Aerospace / Sean Parker
Quote from: jstrotha0975 on 12/19/2023 06:51 pmWhat time is the launch tomorrow?Launch window is 9:18 am - 9:38 am PST (17:18 - 17:38 UTC)
Firefly's Alpha rocket is set to launch the FLTA004 "Fly the Lightning" mission from Space Launch Complex 2 West (SLC-2W) at California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base on Wednesday.The 20-minute window opens at 9:18 AM local time (17:18 UTC).https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/12/fly-the-lightning/- By Tyler Gray (@TylerG1998)
Happy launch day y'all! The countdown for Alpha #FLTA004 is underway. Teams are monitoring weather, which is currently a 30% go. Alpha stands ready to launch. Go Fly the Lightning! Watch live at T-60 minutes to liftoff scheduled for 9:18 am PST: https://youtube.com/live/QMJv-54Dpcc?si=Mk5KBCUU9OvZnbn7
Alpha LOX loading is underway. On track for liftoff at 9:18 am PST from @SLDelta30 #FLTA004 #FlyTheLightning
As the team continues to countdown for today’s Alpha launch, we have adjusted the T-0 to 9:24 am PST to support optimal ground tracking for the mission. #FLTA004 #FlyTheLightning
scrubbedToday’s launch attempt of our Alpha rocket has been scrubbed due to weather conditions.
Our Alpha launch is rescheduled for Friday, Dec. 22 at 9:18 a.m. PST, following today’s scrub due to inclement weather. The rocket and payload remain healthy - we’re just waiting on Mother Nature! Livestream will begin T-60 minutes to liftoff. #FTLA004 #FlyTheLightningPhoto credit: Firefly Aerospace / @TrevorMahlmann
Following Wednesday's scrub due to unfavorable weather, Firefly Aerospace plans to conduct its second launch of the year on Friday in just under 24 hours. NSF will provide Livestream Production Services for this launch.➡️youtube.com/watch?v=LItoeS…Liftoff of an Alpha rocket from Space Launch Complex 2W at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California is scheduled during a 20-minute launch window, opening at 9:18 a.m. PST / 17:18 UTC.The mission, dubbed Fly The Lightning, is a dedicated commercial launch for Lockheed Martin, lofting the company's Electronically Steerable Antenna (ESA) Demo to Low Earth Orbit. ESA is to demonstrate faster on-orbit sensor calibration to deliver rapid capabilities to U.S. warfighters.Photo: Jack Beyer (@thejackbeyer)/NSF for Firefly.
