The mission, part of NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI), lifted off aboard the Alpha rocket, named "Summer Noise," from Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California at 9 :04 p.m. PDT (9.34 am IST).
Following payload deployment, Firefly successfully performed a second-stage changeover and re-ignition maneuver to further test and validate Alpha's in-orbit capabilities, the company said. Firefly Aerospace is a NASA provider for both launch and lunar services.
“The Firefly team overcame it,” Bill Weber, CEO of Firefly Aerospace, said in a statement.
In addition to "continuing this partnership," Weber intends to be part of NASA's "broader space exploration goals, from Earth to the Moon and beyond."
The mission's CubeSats were selected through NASA's CSLI, which provides a low-cost way for universities, nonprofit organizations, science centers and other researchers to conduct science and technology demonstrations in space.
CubeSats were designed by universities and NASA centers and cover science including climate studies, satellite technology development, and educational outreach to students.
The launch "demonstrates the capability of small rockets," said Hamilton Fernandez, mission director for NASA's Launch Services Program.
Additionally, he added that through the CubeSat mission, NASA aims to "establish relationships with this new part of the US launch vehicle industry."
Firefly is also in the final testing phase for its next Alpha release, FLTA006.
At the same time, the team is preparing a responsive orbital Elytra mission that will launch on Alpha FLTA007 later this year, while also working to complete the final milestones in preparation for its first Blue Ghost mission to the Moon, which will launch in the fourth quarter of 2024, the company said.
Following payload deployment, Firefly successfully performed a second-stage changeover and re-ignition maneuver to further test and validate Alpha's in-orbit capabilities, the company said. Firefly Aerospace is a NASA provider for both launch and lunar services.
“The Firefly team overcame it,” Bill Weber, CEO of Firefly Aerospace, said in a statement.
In addition to "continuing this partnership," Weber intends to be part of NASA's "broader space exploration goals, from Earth to the Moon and beyond."
The mission's CubeSats were selected through NASA's CSLI, which provides a low-cost way for universities, nonprofit organizations, science centers and other researchers to conduct science and technology demonstrations in space.
CubeSats were designed by universities and NASA centers and cover science including climate studies, satellite technology development, and educational outreach to students.
The launch "demonstrates the capability of small rockets," said Hamilton Fernandez, mission director for NASA's Launch Services Program.
Additionally, he added that through the CubeSat mission, NASA aims to "establish relationships with this new part of the US launch vehicle industry."
Firefly is also in the final testing phase for its next Alpha release, FLTA006.
At the same time, the team is preparing a responsive orbital Elytra mission that will launch on Alpha FLTA007 later this year, while also working to complete the final milestones in preparation for its first Blue Ghost mission to the Moon, which will launch in the fourth quarter of 2024, the company said.
