Alpha was initially designed with a first stage powered by an FRE-2 engine, which consisted of twelve nozzles arranged in an aerospike configuration. The engine used methane, as opposed to RP-1. The second stage was to be propelled by the FRE-1 engine, which used a conventional bell nozzle. It was intended to launch 400 kg to low Earth orbit. After Firefly's corporate reorganization, Alpha was redesigned. The vehicle now uses two stages, both 1.8 m in diameter, filled with RP-1/LOX propellant. The main body of the rocket is constructed using a lightweight carbon composite material. Alpha's first stage is powered by four Reaver 1LOX / RP-1 engines, delivering of thrust. The second stage is powered by one Lightning 1 LOX / RP-1 engine, delivering of thrust. Lightning 1 was test-run for nearly 5 minutes on March 15, 2018 during a long duration test fire. The engine was fired at Firefly's Test Stand 1 in Briggs, Texas. The Alpha airframe uses all carbon-fibercomposite material in its construction. Use of denser materials like titanium and aluminum results in a heavier airframe which requires more fuel to launch, making the carbon-fiber body more fuel efficient. In March 2018, Firefly said that the development of Alpha was expected to cost approximately $100 million. The company is also developing a future rocket, Firefly Beta, which initially consisted of three Alpha cores strapped together. However, in October 2019, Firefly announced in partnership with Aerojet Rocketdyne, that it will now be a single core rocket powered by Rocketdyne's AR1 engine.
Intended usage
Alpha is designed to launch a 1,000 kg payload to a 200 km low Earth orbit, or a 600 kg payload to a 500 km Sun-synchronous orbit, suitable for CubeSats and other small payloads. Primary payloads can be integrated by themselves or with a secondary payload, with capacity for up to 6 CubeSats. This allows Firefly's customers to have a dedicated small-satellite launcher, reducing the issues of ride-sharing payloads and secondary payloads. These smaller satellites can have an orbit that is not determined by a larger payload and can launch on their own schedule instead of waiting on the readiness of all other payloads. In 2015 NASA's Launch Services Program awarded Firefly Aerospace a $5.5 million Venture Class Launch Services contract to develop Alpha to enable easier access to the small satellite market. Firefly Aerospace plans to use a Horizontal Integration Facility to integrate payloads. Alpha is also intended to be a direct American competitor in the small satellite market to India's PSLV, as they believe its ride-share capability in the market threatens US domestic launchers.
Launch sites
Firefly Aerospace plans to use Vandenberg Air Force BaseSLC-2W to support the launches of both Alpha and future launches of Beta, which formerly launched Delta and Thor-Agena rockets, and formerly launches Delta II rockets. Additionally they are planning on operating at Cape Canaveral Air Force StationSLC-20. The first launch of Alpha is scheduled for the second half of 2020, and Firefly aims to have production capacity to support the launch of two Alpha vehicles per month by the first quarter of 2021.
