Firefly's Alpha Rocket Mission Fails

Firefly Aerospace's sixth Alpha rocket launch ended in failure. The mission aimed to deliver a technology demonstration payload for Lockheed Martin to low Earth orbit (LEO). However, an anomaly shortly after stage separation resulted in a significant reduction of thrust in the upper stage engine, preventing the payload from reaching orbital velocity. The payload ultimately impacted the Pacific Ocean. This marks the second failed mission for Firefly's Alpha rocket out of six attempts. Firefly will investigate the cause of the anomaly with its customer and the FAA.