Firefly to Debut Upgraded Rocket Configuration on Next Test Flight

CEO Jason Kim says the company’s Alpha model will debut its Block II setup as soon as this summer.

Jack Daleo

Wednesday, May 06, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Firefly announced the Block II configuration of its flagship Alpha rocket in January. It could fly as soon as this summer. [Credit: Firefly Aerospace]

Key Takeaways:

Firefly Aerospace plans to debut its upgraded Alpha Block II rocket as soon as this summer, featuring enhanced reliability, doubled height, and capabilities for critical responsive space missions, with further test flights scheduled for 2026.
The company is progressing with its larger, reusable Eclipse medium launch vehicle, co-developed with Northrop Grumman, with major components in build and test phases, aiming for a debut this year to serve the medium-lift market.
Beyond rockets, Firefly is advancing its lunar exploration efforts, having won the Collier Trophy for its successful Blue Ghost Mission 1, and is developing larger lunar landers to meet NASA's future mission requirements for a permanent moon base.

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Burgeoning space launch provider Firefly Aerospace plans to debut an upgraded version of its flagship Alpha rocket as soon as this summer, CEO Jason Kim said Monday.

During the company’s first-quarter 2026 earnings call Kim revealed that Alpha’s more powerful Block II configuration is expected to handle the two-stage rocket’s next test flight. He said the company has completed qualification testing for that vehicle’s first- and second-stage engines. The company has not disclosed a customer for the test flight, which will be its eighth with Alpha.