Overview
- Liftoff is planned during a 5:50–7:50 p.m. PT window from Space Launch Complex-2 at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
- Flight 7, dubbed Stairway to Seven, is intended to validate Block II systems in shadow mode on the Block I vehicle, including new avionics and thermal protection.
- Firefly cites an April 2025 in‑flight mishap and a September 2025 test‑stand explosion caused by a process error as the delays that preceded this attempt, with no injuries reported.
- A replacement first stage was shipped and integrated for this rocket, and a company webcast with NASASpaceflight is set to start about 20 minutes before liftoff.
- Weather permitting, the launch could be visible across much of the West, including parts of Arizona, while two SpaceX Starlink missions from Vandenberg are scheduled for March 12 and March 15.