By 
February 9th, 2026
Image credit: Firefly Aerospace/Inside Outer Space screengrab
One step closer on the Stairway to Seven!
Firefly Aerospace successfully completed a full duration 20-second static fire at the company’s SLC-2 launch complex at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
The team is now preparing to launch the Alpha Flight 7 test flight no earlier than February 18.
Following a successful 20 second static fire, the Alpha Flight 7 launch window will open no earlier than February 18.
Image credit: Firefly Aerospace/Inside Outer Space screengrab
“Alpha Flight 7 is the last flown in the rocket’s current configuration and serves as a test flight with the primary goal to achieve nominal first and second stage performance,” a Firefly posting explains. “Flight 7 will test and validate key systems ahead of Firefly’s Block II configuration upgrade on Flight 8 that’s designed to enhance reliability and manufacturability across the vehicle.”
The subsystems tested on Flight 7, including the in-house avionics and thermal improvements,” adds Firefly, will allow Firefly to gain flight heritage and validate lessons learned ahead of the full configuration upgrade.
“The Block II configuration includes a 7-foot increase to Alpha’s length, consolidated batteries and avionics built in house, an enhanced thermal protection system, and stronger carbon composite structures built with automated machinery,” the company explains.
Go to this static fire video at:
Posted in Space News
