Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket successfully launched early Thursday morning (July 4), marking its fifth mission.

Named “Noise of Summer,” the launch occurred from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 12:04 a.m. EDT (0404 GMT; 9:04 p.m. local California time on July 3).

Originally scheduled for two days earlier, the launch was delayed due to ground support equipment issues, prompting additional analysis before proceeding.

The mission carried eight cubesats into low Earth orbit under NASA’s Cubesat Launch Initiative, supporting satellite development efforts at various U.S. institutions and organizations including the University of Arizona, University of Kansas, University of Maine, University of Washington, Teachers in Space nonprofit, and NASA’s Johnson Space Center and Ames Research Center.

Seven cubesats deployed successfully within an hour after liftoff, with confirmation awaited for the University of Arizona’s CatSat deployment, Space.com has reported.

The mission also showcased Firefly’s capability for responsive launch operations.

Written by B.C. Begley