Firefly Aerospace, a leading space transportation company, has secured a significant mission from NASA to launch the QuickSounder environmental satellite on behalf of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The launch, scheduled for 2026 aboard Firefly’s Alpha rocket, will mark the commencement of NOAA’s next-generation environmental satellite program, known as the Near Earth Orbit Network (NEON).
This collaborative effort between NASA and NOAA represents a pivotal step in advancing Earth observation capabilities. The NEON program aims to establish a resilient constellation of low Earth orbit satellites, capable of rapid deployment to enhance weather forecasting, disaster management, and climate change monitoring. These small to medium-sized satellites, equipped with advanced Earth-observing instruments, will provide more frequent data collection, enabling more accurate and timely insights into Earth’s environment.
The QuickSounder satellite, developed by the Southwest Research Institute, is the first mission under the NEON program. It will carry NOAA’s Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) instrument, a critical component in understanding Earth’s atmosphere. ATMS provides vital information about temperature and moisture within just 30 minutes of data collection, significantly improving NOAA’s weather prediction models for crucial events like fires, floods, and droughts.
Firefly’s Alpha rocket, a flight-proven vehicle dedicated to the one-metric ton satellite market, is well-suited for this mission. Its responsive, reliable, and cost-effective launch services will ensure the timely delivery of the QuickSounder satellite to its designated orbit. The launch will take place from Firefly’s SLC-2 launch site at Vandenberg Space Force Base, marking Firefly’s second Alpha launch for NASA.
This partnership between Firefly Aerospace, NASA, and NOAA highlights the growing importance of private-public collaborations in space exploration and scientific advancements. The QuickSounder mission is expected to provide valuable data that will contribute to a deeper understanding of our planet and its changing climate, ultimately leading to better decision-making for the benefit of humanity.
