Firefly Aerospace returned its Alpha launch vehicle to flight after a nearly 10-month stand down following the failed FLTA006 “Message In A Booster” mission in April 2025. FLTA007 “Stairway to Seven” launched from the California coast at 5:50 PM PDT on Wednesday, March 11 (00:50 UTC on March 12) after being delayed again on Monday, March 9, this time due to an “out of range” sensor reading.
The March 10 attempt was scrubbed during fluids loading after off-nominal readings, but after running additional tests on the fluid systems, teams are ready for another launch attempt. The launch window lasted until 7:50 PM PDT on March 11 (02:50 UTC on March 12). The launch had been scheduled for Friday, Feb. 27, then Saturday, Feb. 28, and Sunday, March 1, but was postponed every time due to forecast high upper-level winds.