Tag: Firefly Aerospace
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Software Glitch Doomed Firefly Aerospace’s Rocket Mission, Investigation Reveals
Firefly Aerospace disclosed on February 20th that a critical software malfunction sabotaged the upper stage of its Alpha rocket during a December launch, thwarting a planned second burn and stranding its payload in a low orbit. According to a statement issued by Firefly, an anomaly in the guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) software hindered the…
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Firefly Aerospace launches its 4th Alpha rocket
Firefly’s Alpha rocket lifts off from Vandenberg Space Force Base on a mission for Lockheed Martin. Image: Firefly Aerospace/Trevor Mahlmann.
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Firefly suffers second stage anomaly on “Fly the Lightning” mission
Just on the heels of its success in integrating and launching a payload to orbit within 27 hours for the Space Force, Firefly Aerospace flew again — this time with a dedicated flight for Lockheed Martin. The Alpha FLTA004 mission lifted off from Space Launch Complex 2 West (SLC-2W) at California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base…
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Firefly’s Alpha successfully launches VICTUS NOX rapid response mission
Texas-based small launch company Firefly Aerospace jumpstarted its 2023 campaign with the launch of FLTA003 — the third flight of its Alpha launch vehicle — as part of a dedicated mission for the U.S. Space Force (USSF). Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 2 West (SLC-2W) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California happened on Thursday,…
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Integrate raises $3.4M and wins Space Force contract for management software
An artist’s conception shows the Space Systems Command’s SpaceDEN facility. (U.S. Space Force Illustration) Seattle-based Integrate says it has raised $3.4 million in funding and secured a $1.25 million contract from the U.S. Space Force to boost its program management software platform into a higher orbit. The year-old startup has also brought Firefly Aerospace on…
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Firefly Aerospace acquires Spaceflight Inc. to boost capabilities for on-orbit services
Spaceflight Inc.’s engineers work on a Sherpa-LTE orbital transfer vehicle. (Spaceflight Inc. Photo) Texas-based Firefly Aerospace says it has acquired Bellevue, Wash.-based Spaceflight Inc. and will shift the operation’s focus from satellite rideshare logistics to its line of orbital transfer vehicles. Firefly says the strategic acquisition will add to its portfolio of low-cost space transportation…
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Firefly succeeds on second Alpha flight
With the goal of successfully reaching orbit, Firefly successfully launched FLTA002 – its second demonstration flight of the Alpha launch vehicle – on the mission dubbed “To The Black.” Launching from Space Launch Complex 2 West (SLC-2W) at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, the vehicle lifted off at 12:01 AM PDT (07:01 UTC)…
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“Missile Row” pads at Cape Canaveral returning to action
Cape Canaveral has been at the heart of America’s space program since the very beginning. A hub for rocketry research and development in its early days, the Cape served as a test center not just for spaceflight and research but also for the US missile development programs. With so many projects, the landscape was littered…
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Spaceflight signs up as anchor customer for Firefly Aerospace launch in 2021
An artist’s conception shows Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket during stage separation. (Firefly Illustration) Seattle-based Spaceflight Inc. has signed an agreement to secure most of the payload mass on a Firefly Aerospace rocket that’s due to lift off from California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base in 2021. The agreement, announced today, establishes Spaceflight as the mission’s anchor customer…
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Firefly confirms fire during first stage test
EDITOR’S NOTE: Updated with additional details and video from Firefly. Firefly Aerospace tweeted this picture Wednesday evening, writing that teams were loading liquid oxygen into a test version of the company’s Alpha booster in preparation for the first hotfire qualification test of the rocket’s first stage. Credit: Firefly Aerospace Firefly Aerospace confirmed a “test anomaly” resulted…