Aurora
Tuning into the cosmos…
LoadingFirefly Alpha Block 2
Firefly Alpha Block 2 | QuickSounder
Firefly Alpha Block 2 is set to launch Firefly Alpha Block 2 | QuickSounder on Wed, Sep 30, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.
To Be DeterminedFirefly Aerospace
Liftoff inNET Sep 2026
NET Wed, Sep 30, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC
Mission profile
The flight at a glance
Firefly Alpha Block 2Vehicle
Firefly AerospaceProvider
Space Launch Complex 2WPad
Vandenberg SFB, CA, USALocation
Earth ScienceMission type
Sun-Synchronous OrbitOrbit
Flight simulation
Ascent to orbit
A representative gravity-turn climb for Firefly Alpha Block 2 to Sun-Synchronous Orbit. Illustrative model — not this mission’s live telemetry.
Mission timeT+0:00
Altitude0.0 km
Velocity0.00 km/s
PhaseLiftoff
T+0:00 / 8:50
SimulatedRepresentative Firefly Alpha Block 2 ascent profile — illustrative model, not this mission’s live telemetry.
The mission
QuickSounder
QuickSounder is the first satellite mission of the Near Earth Orbit Network (NEON) program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which aims to replace the current Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) series of polar orbit weather satellites. This pathfinder mission will demonstrate NOAA's ability to launch a small satellite within 3 years, flying a refurbished Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) instrument to polar orbit.
Around this launch
Related news
No news linked to this launch yet
As coverage publishes, deduplicated articles about this mission will appear here.
Good to know
Frequently asked
What time does Firefly Alpha Block 2 | QuickSounder launch?
Firefly Alpha Block 2 | QuickSounder is scheduled to lift off Wed, Sep 30, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC — this page shows a live countdown.
Where can I watch Firefly Alpha Block 2 | QuickSounder?
A live webcast will appear on this page as soon as the provider publishes a stream link.
Who is launching Firefly Alpha Block 2 | QuickSounder?
Firefly Alpha Block 2 | QuickSounder is an Firefly Aerospace mission flying on a Firefly Alpha Block 2.
Where does Firefly Alpha Block 2 | QuickSounder launch from?
It lifts off from Space Launch Complex 2W, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.