Update: On Tuesday afternoon, March 10, Vandenberg Space Force Base announced Firefly Aerospace was preparing to launch their Alpha #FLTA007 mission from Space Launch Complex 2 (SLC-2) between 5:50 p.m. – 7:50 p.m.
At 5:00 p.m., Vandenberg updated that announcement to state Firefly Aerospace postponed today’s Alpha Flight 7 launch after the team observed off-nominal readings during fluid loading operations. A new launch date and time will be announced once confirmed.
Firefly Aerospace scrubbed the launch of its Alpha Flight 7 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Monday evening after a sensor produced an out-of-range reading.
The company said the mission was halted “out of an abundance of caution.”
The company said the launch team decided to stand down from the planned March 9 test flight after detecting a sensor reading outside the expected range, describing the move as a precaution.
The launch was scrubbed to ensure all systems are operating within safe limits before the rocket is cleared for liftoff.
Out of an abundance of caution, Firefly made the decision to stand down on today’s Alpha Flight 7 test flight to investigate a sensor reading that was out of range. Once verification is complete, the team will work with @SLDelta30 to confirm our next available launch date. Stay…
— Firefly Aerospace (@FireflySpace) March 9, 2026
Firefly said it is reviewing the data to determine the cause of the abnormal reading and verify whether any technical issues are present. The review will help confirm that the vehicle and ground systems are ready for flight.
Once verification is complete, Firefly will coordinate with Space Launch Delta 30 at Vandenberg to identify the next available launch opportunity.
Additional information will be shared once the review is complete and a new timeline is determined, the company said.
The mission, known as Alpha Flight Test 7 or FLTA007, had been scheduled for Monday, March 9, 2026, with a launch window between 5:50 p.m. and 7:50 p.m. PT.
The rocket was set to launch from Space Launch Complex-2 at Vandenberg Space Force Base. A backup launch opportunity was planned for Tuesday, March 10, during the same evening window.
The mission would mark Firefly’s seventh Alpha rocket launch and is nicknamed “Stairway to Seven.”
This was not the first delay for Alpha Flight 7. The mission had previously been pushed from March 2 to March 9 after strong upper-level winds exceeded safety limits established by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Alpha Flight 7 has been scrubbed today due to high upper-level winds that exceed FAA safety parameters. The team will work closely with @SLDelta30 to determine the next available launch date for the Stairway to Seven test flight. Stay tuned for more information.
— Firefly Aerospace (@FireflySpace) March 2, 2026
Firefly’s Alpha rocket is designed to carry payloads of more than 1,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit and supports missions for commercial, civil, and national security customers.
The rocket is intended to provide responsive launch services, allowing customers to place satellites into orbit through dedicated flights or rideshare missions. Firefly has positioned Alpha as a vehicle capable of delivering payloads to specific orbits on relatively short timelines.
Vandenberg Space Force Base is a major launch site for both military and commercial space missions in the United States and plays an important role in maintaining reliable access to space.
In addition to hosting space launches, the base also supports activities such as orbital tracking, homeland defense operations, and global command and control of space assets.
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