Firefly Aerospace and SpaceX are set to launch a series of missions this week, marking a significant milestone in the space industry. Here's a breakdown of the upcoming launches and their key details:
SpaceX's Starlink Missions
- Starlink Group 6-103: On February 16th, SpaceX launched the Starlink Group 6-103 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) in Florida. This mission successfully deployed 29 Starlink v2 Mini satellites into low-Earth orbit (LEO) at an inclination of 43 degrees.
- Starlink Group 10-36: Scheduled for February 18th, this mission will be the 27th flight of booster B1077. It will carry 29 Starlink v2 Mini satellites into LEO at an inclination of 53.16 degrees.
- Starlink Group 17-25: SpaceX is set to launch this mission from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) on February 19th. The booster, B1063, will embark on its 31st mission, deploying 25 Starlink v2 Mini satellites into LEO at an inclination of 97.29 degrees.
SpaceX's Record-Breaking Booster
Booster B1067, set to launch on February 21st, will set a new record for the most flights by a single Falcon 9 booster, achieving 33 missions. It will deploy 28 Starlink v2 Mini satellites into LEO at an inclination of 43 degrees.
Firefly Aerospace's Alpha Mission
- Alpha Block 1 FLTA007: After a ten-month hiatus, Firefly Aerospace is resuming flights with Alpha FLTA007 on February 20th. This mission will be the last flight of the current Alpha vehicle and will test various systems for the upcoming Alpha Block II rocket.
- Stairway to Seven: The mission will be the last flight of the current Alpha vehicle, testing avionics and thermal improvements before the debut of Block II. Firefly has made improvements since the failed FLTA006 mission, including adding thermal protection and adjusting ascent trajectories.
- FLTA007 Details: The rocket will not carry a payload and will follow a southwest trajectory from Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB). A successful flight will boost confidence in the upcoming Alpha Block II, which features enhanced length, fuel tank configurations, and other improvements.
Upcoming Launches and Records
- Starlink Group 6-104: On February 21st, SpaceX will launch Starlink Group 6-104 from SLC-40, marking the 22nd Falcon 9 launch of 2026. This mission will deploy 28 Starlink v2 Mini satellites into LEO.
- Starlink Group 17-26: Just 48 hours after the Firefly Alpha launch, SpaceX will launch Starlink Group 17-26 from SLC-4E on February 22nd, making it the 23rd Falcon 9 launch of the year.
