Firefly Aerospace (NASDAQ: FLY) launched its Alpha Flight 7 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base on March 11 at 5:50 pm PDT, according to a company statement.

The Alpha rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 2 and completed orbital insertion, delivering a demonstrator payload for Lockheed Martin. The mission included a stage two engine relight and validated Alpha Block II upgrades, including a new in-house avionics suite and enhanced thermal protection system.

"Alpha Flight 7 was flawlessly executed with all mission requirements completed," said Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. The company conducted process improvements across engineering, production, test, integration, and operations to enhance quality and reliability.

The flight served as validation ahead of the full Block II configuration upgrade planned for Flight 8. The Block II upgrades include a 7-foot increase to Alpha's length, consolidated batteries and avionics built in-house, improved thermal protection system, and stronger carbon composite structures built with automated machinery.

Firefly established operations in 2017 with engineering, manufacturing, and test facilities located in central Texas. The company develops small- to medium-lift launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles for missions from low Earth orbit to the Moon.