Firefly Alpha Block 2 | QuickSounder

QuickSounder is the first satellite mission of the Near Earth Orbit Network (NEON) program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which aims to replace the current Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) series of polar orbit weather satellites. This pathfinder mission will demonstrate NOAA's ability to launch a small satellite within 3 years, flying a refurbished Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) instrument to polar orbit.

Mission Details

  • Launch date: September 30, 2026 at 12:00 AM UTC
  • Launch vehicle: Firefly Alpha Block 2
  • Operator: Firefly Aerospace
  • Launch site: Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
  • Mission type: Earth Science