Washington: Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket encountered a critical failure during its sixth mission on Tuesday, resulting in the loss of a Lockheed Martin satellite, which ultimately fell into the Pacific Ocean.
The rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California but experienced a significant malfunction about two minutes into flight. According to Firefly, the upper-stage engine nozzle detached shortly after the stage attempted to separate from the core booster. The company said the issue “substantially reduced the engine’s thrust,” preventing the rocket from achieving its planned orbit.
Unlike previous rocket failures that typically result in explosions or emergency shutdowns, the Alpha rocket’s upper stage continued firing for several minutes. It reached an altitude of 320 kilometers (200 miles) before gravity pulled it back into Earth’s atmosphere.
“The stage and payload have now safely impacted the Pacific Ocean in a cleared zone north of Antarctica,” Firefly stated in a post-mission update.
A livestream of the launch showed pieces of debris breaking away from the rocket during ascent. On-screen telemetry, including altitude and speed, disappeared prematurely, raising concerns before the company confirmed the anomaly.
This incident marks the fourth failure in six Alpha rocket flights since 2021, underlining the challenges Firefly faces in establishing itself in the competitive small launch market dominated by SpaceX. Despite the setback, the company achieved a historic milestone earlier this year with a successful lunar landing, positioning itself as a serious contender in the space industry.
Tuesday’s launch was the first under a strategic agreement between Firefly and Lockheed Martin that envisions up to 25 missions through 2029. The payload, named the LM 400 Technology Demonstrator, was a self-funded satellite designed to validate new technologies intended for future defense and commercial use.
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“Navigating risk and going fast are part of these self-funded demonstrations,” a Lockheed spokesperson said. “The satellite’s production yielded insights that will benefit future customers.”
Following the failure, Firefly initially acknowledged on social media that the vehicle reached “a lower than planned orbit,” but the post was later deleted. The company confirmed it is now collaborating with Lockheed, the U.S. Space Force, and the Federal Aviation Administration to investigate the root cause.
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Firefly is focused on fulfilling urgent national security launch demands for the U.S. Department of Defense. In 2023, the company successfully demonstrated rapid launch capability for the U.S. Space Force, reinforcing its potential role in national defense logistics.
Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Firefly Aerospace has faced a tumultuous journey. After declaring bankruptcy in 2017, the company underwent an ownership restructuring due to national security concerns in 2022. It removed its CEO in 2024 following an internal investigation into an inappropriate relationship. Nevertheless, Firefly achieved a significant victory in March with its first successful lunar landing, highlighting its resilience and innovation in a demanding industry.
