Firefly prepares Alpha Block II upgrade for Flight 8

by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 14, 2026

Firefly Aerospace has announced a Block II configuration upgrade for its Alpha small launch vehicle, with qualification testing for the new second stage hardware now underway at the companys Rocket Ranch test facility in Briggs, Texas. The Block II program is intended to boost reliability, streamline manufacturing, and improve launch operations to better support commercial, civil, and national security customers across the global launch market.

Alpha Flight 7, targeted to lift off in the coming weeks, will be the final mission to fly in the current Block I configuration. Firefly plans to use this mission as a pathfinder, installing multiple Block II subsystems in shadow mode to accumulate flight heritage and validate design improvements before the full Block II configuration debuts on Alpha Flight 8.

According to Firefly chief executive Jason Kim, the Block II upgrade has been part of the companys strategic growth plan to match the evolving needs of the small launch market. He said the effort reflects Fireflys culture of continuous improvement with a focus on enhanced safety, quality, and reliability, drawing on data and lessons learned from the first six Alpha launches and hundreds of hardware tests to guide the updates.

Engineers have concentrated on consolidating parts, updating key configurations, and strengthening structures using automated production tools. The company has emphasized manufacturability and consistent build quality as it refines Alpha into a more capable and rapidly producible launcher for responsive missions.

Beyond reliability and production rate, Block II is designed to expand Alphas deployable capabilities for time-sensitive and high-value missions. Targeted applications include hypersonic testing, national security missions such as the Golden Dome program, and commercial satellite launches for both domestic and international customers seeking flexible access to orbit.

One of the most visible changes in Block II is an increase in vehicle length and structural robustness. Alpha will grow from approximately 97 feet to about 104 feet in length, with carbon composite structures optimized for rapid manufacturing on Fireflys Automated Fiber Placement machine and strengthened for higher loads while retaining the vehicles core architecture.

Block II also introduces consolidated in-house batteries and avionics to replace earlier off-the-shelf systems. Firefly is transitioning to a unified power and avionics suite developed and produced internally and used across its spacecraft and launch vehicles, a shift expected to improve schedule control, reliability, and production efficiency while simplifying logistics and maintenance.

Propellant tank design and thermal protection are being upgraded as part of the configuration change. The Block II Alpha incorporates an improved thermal protection system for added robustness and re-optimized liquid oxygen and RP-1 tank configurations to extend stage burn time, supporting more demanding mission profiles.

Several of these improvements, including the in-house avionics suite and thermal enhancements, will be exercised on Alpha Flight 7 even though that mission will not fly the full Block II stack. Firefly recently delivered the first stage for Flight 7 to its launch site at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, where teams are integrating it with the second stage and payload fairing ahead of a static fire test and launch.

Vice president of launch Adam Oakes said Flight 7 provides an opportunity to test key systems before the complete Block II upgrade on Flight 8. He noted that this phased approach helps accelerate the Block II schedule while validating mass savings, production optimizations, and reliability gains across the Alpha vehicle.

Despite the configuration shift, Alphas core propulsion and structural technologies remain unchanged. Fireflys flight-proven Reaver engines on the first stage, Lightning engine on the second stage, and carbon composite primary structures continue to form the backbone of the rocket, providing continuity as the company implements incremental refinements.

Firefly positions Alpha Block II as part of a broader portfolio of small- to medium-lift launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles built around common flight-proven technologies. The company aims to deliver speed, reliability, and cost efficiency from low Earth orbit missions through to lunar operations using shared components and design approaches.

The company highlights its role in enabling responsive space services for government and commercial users, citing its ability to launch a satellite to orbit with approximately 24 hours notice and to conduct precision lunar missions. Fireflys engineering, manufacturing, and test facilities remain concentrated in central Texas, a co-location strategy intended to support rapid design iteration, integrated testing, and accelerated deployment of upgraded systems such as Alpha Block II.