1.10.2025

Credit: Firefly Aerospace

The first stage of a Firefly Aerospace Alpha rocket being prepared for launch on a commercial mission for Lockheed Martin was destroyed Sept. 29 during preflight testing at the company’s Briggs, Texas, facility.

“During testing at Firefly’s facility in Briggs Texas, the first stage of Firefly’s Alpha Flight 7 rocket experienced an event that resulted in a loss of the stage,” the company said in a statement.

“Proper safety protocols were followed, and all personnel are safe. The company is assessing the impact to its stage test stand, and no other facilities were impacted,” it added.

The booster was being prepared for a launch slated for later this year from Vandenberg SFB, California.

Firefly has had a mixed record with its Alpha small satellite launch vehicle, which debuted in September 2021, with two failures, two successful flights and two partial successes.

Flight 7 was to be the second of up to 25 Alpha launches that Lockheed purchased in June 2024 for technology demonstration missions through 2029.

Firefly shares were down more than 11% after the markets closed Sept. 29, down to $32.80 from $36.96 a share.

Quelle: AVIATION WEEK