Firefly Aerospace Conducts Successful Static Fire Test, Reveals Launch Date
New space firm is developing an Alpha rocket with a plan for liftoff on Sept. 2 from Vandenberg Space Force Base
A screenshot from the static fire test video shows Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket at Vandenberg Space Force Base. After the successful test, Firefly announced the targeted launch date of Sept. 2. (Firefly Aerospace photo)
A new rocket passed a key milestone with a successful test at Vandenberg Space Force Base this week en route to its maiden launch in two weeks.
Firefly Aerospace announced on Thursday that the firm had performed a static fire test of the Alpha launch vehicle, which stands 95 feet tall, at Space Launch Complex 2.
“The fully-fueled, flight-ready vehicle fired its first stage engines for 15 seconds,” Firefly announced on Twitter.
A video posted online shows the static fire test with one crew member saying, “Burn, baby, burn.” Another crew member asked for the “plus count,” leading to someone else to report the tally “14, 15.”
“Made it all the way,” a crew member said, prompting applause from others audible in the background.
A static fire test involves counting down to zero and igniting the first stage engines while the rocket remains earthbound.
“The test was successful and clears the way for Firefly to make its first launch attempt, currently scheduled for Sept. 2,” the firm said.
The company did not release the intended launch time or any other details about the debut of the small rocket. Launch dates, especially for new rockets, can be fluid because of technical troubles requiring attention before liftoff or unfavorable weather.
Alpha's maiden flight will carry the Dedicated Research and Education Accelerator Mission, or DREAM, a collection of academic and educational payloads chosen after a global competition to find rideshare participants. More than two dozen DREAM payloads represent seven countries, according to Firefly's 2019 announcement.
For the past few months, there have been several false reports floating around social media about launch dates for this mission, although Firefly has said only that the team was working toward readying for the inaugural launch.