Today 2026 September20 (Sun) 14:06 Etc/GMT-9

2026/10/15~2026/10/16

(NET) Alpha B2 • QuickSounder

A Firefly Aerospace Alpha Block 2 rocket will launch on a flight designated FLTA00?, to send the QuickSounder mission for NOAA into space. It will support NOAA’s next generation satellite architecture for its future low Earth orbit program, which will provide mission-critical data for the agency’s National Weather Service, the nation’s weather industry, and other users worldwide. QuickSounder is the first small satellite in NOAA’s Near Earth Orbit Network (NEON). A collaborative effort between NASA and NOAA, NEON will provide a new approach to developing a new global environmental satellite system by quickly building small to medium-sized satellites with Earth-observing instruments for weather forecasting, disaster management, and climate monitoring. The selection is part of NASA’s Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) launch services contract. Firefly named the mission "?". The new Block 2 upgrade of Alpha features stretched and strengthened propellant tanks with improved insulation as well as upgraded avionics. - Delayed from February, Apr. 26 and Q3.

📍 Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 2, Tangair Rd, Lompoc, CA 93437, USA