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2h ago

Firefly Alpha Booster for Next Mission Destroyed in Texas Ground Test

Firefly reports no injuries as it investigates the test-stand blast that jeopardizes its planned Flight 7 launch timeline.

A rocket engine test stand is seen while it was under construction in early 2024 at Firefly Aerospace's so-called Rocket Ranch facility near Briggs. An Alpha light-lift rocket being prepared for launch later this year exploded Monday afternoon at the facility.
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Firefly Alpha Flight 7 Explodes on Test Stand
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Overview

  • The first stage designated for Alpha Flight 7 was lost during acceptance testing at Firefly’s Briggs, Texas site, with video showing two explosions and a plume of black smoke.
  • Firefly said proper safety procedures were followed, crews are assessing damage to the stage test stand, and no other facilities at the site were affected.
  • The destroyed stage was to be shipped to Vandenberg Space Force Base for a mission carrying a Lockheed Martin payload under a multi-launch agreement.
  • The setback comes after FAA clearance in late August to resume Alpha launches following an April in‑flight anomaly tied to plume‑induced heating and planned mitigations to Stage 1.
  • Firefly said it will share next steps after its investigation; shares fell more than 10% in after-hours trading Monday and were down about 24% on Tuesday.