Firefly Alpha

Following a successful liftoff, Firefly’s Alpha rocket seems to have misplaced its payload due to a second stage anomaly.First Full-Color Images From Webb Space TelescopeThe small rocket launched on Friday, December 22, at 12:32 p.m. ET from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The mission, called “Fly the Lightning,” was carrying a satellite developed by Lockheed Martin to test an electronically steerable antenna. Alpha reached orbit, and the rocket’s second stage separated and its engine shut off as planned.…

The Alpha rocket reached orbit shortly after launch earlier this month.Image: Firefly AerospacePrivate aerospace company Firefly declared its “To the Black” mission a success with the inaugural launch of its Alpha rocket despite the majority of the rocket’s payload having reentered through the atmosphere. Firefly’s small satellite rocket took off on October 1 at 3:01 a.m. ET from Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Two days later, the company announced “100% mission success” on Twitter…

Alpha deployed small satellites into orbit about an hour after liftoff.Image: Firefly AerospacePrivate space company Firefly finally reached orbit with its Alpha rocket, joining a short list of U.S. commercial rocket builders that have successfully launched a vehicle to orbit amidst a growing space industry. Alpha lifted off on Saturday at 3:01 a.m. ET from Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. About eight minutes after launch, the rocket’s upper stage reached orbit. The upper stage then…

The Alpha rocket exploded shortly after liftoff in 2021. Photo: Len Wood (AP)Firefly Aerospace is gearing up for another go at launching its Alpha rocket, hoping that the small-lift launch vehicle makes it to orbit this time after a fiery first attempt last year. The Texas-based company is aiming for an orbital launch attempt on Monday at 6 p.m. ET, and the test flight will be streamed live. You can tune in to watch the liftoff through Firefly’s website or via the feed below.The 95-foot-tall (29-meter) rocket is set to …