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Firefly’s Alpha rocket lifts off but explodes shortly into first launch
CNBC ^
| SEP 2 20218:17 PM EDT
| Michael Sheetz
Posted on 09/02/2021 7:42:23 PM PDT by BenLurkin
Firefly was attempting to reach orbit, and its Alpha rocket went supersonic moments before the failure, according to the company’s mission control audio. The rocket launched from the SLC-2 complex at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Standing at 95 feet tall, Firefly’s Alpha rocket is designed to launch as much as 1,000 kilograms of payload to low Earth orbit – at a price of $15 million per launch. This puts Firefly in the “medium-lift” category of rockets, pitting it against several other companies including Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit, ABL Space and Relativity Space.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnbc.com ...
TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: aerospace; alpha; explodes; firefly; rocket
1
posted on
09/02/2021 7:42:23 PM PDT
by
BenLurkin
To: BenLurkin
Is this the same launch vehicle that went sideways on one engine and failed to orbit a while ago?
2
posted on
09/02/2021 7:58:14 PM PDT
by
doorgunner69
("Those who vote decide nothing. Those who count the vote decide everything.." -Joseph Stalin)
To: BenLurkin
3
posted on
09/02/2021 7:59:06 PM PDT
by
Cvengr
( Adversity in life & death is inevitable; Stress is optional through faith in Christ.)
To: BenLurkin
Almost reached stage sep.
They got a lot of telemetry.
Props to Firefly!!!
4
posted on
09/02/2021 8:03:46 PM PDT
by
tet68
( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
To: BenLurkin
This is not in the class of even the smallest SpaceX vehicle, the Falcon 9, which can lift over 20X as much payload to LEO.
I think that SpaceX could make a little rocket like this pretty cheaply. If there ever is a market for it.
5
posted on
09/02/2021 8:06:54 PM PDT
by
buwaya
To: BenLurkin
Good post...
Reminds me that it has been about ten years since I last watched Firefly...
6
posted on
09/02/2021 8:13:24 PM PDT
by
SuperLuminal
(Where is another Sam Adams now that we desperately need him?)
To: doorgunner69
No, that was the Astra launch (startup launch company in Alameda, CA). This was Firefly Aerospace’s first launch of their Alpha vehicle.
https://firefly.com/
7
posted on
09/02/2021 8:41:08 PM PDT
by
Regulator
(It's fraud, Jim)
To: BenLurkin
I got 3 pics of the explosion but I was in Bakersfield so not a lot too look at
8
posted on
09/02/2021 8:48:21 PM PDT
by
markman46
(engage brain before using keyboard!!!)
To: doorgunner69
9
posted on
09/02/2021 8:48:58 PM PDT
by
markman46
(engage brain before using keyboard!!!)
To: SuperLuminal
10
posted on
09/02/2021 9:30:25 PM PDT
by
cgbg
(A kleptocracy--if they can keep it. Think of it as the Cantillon Effect in action.)
To: BenLurkin
11
posted on
09/02/2021 9:30:43 PM PDT
by
Gene Eric
(Don't be a statist!)
To: Regulator
Astra - Alpha, thought it sounded familiar...............
12
posted on
09/02/2021 10:11:41 PM PDT
by
doorgunner69
("Those who vote decide nothing. Those who count the vote decide everything.." -Joseph Stalin)
To: BenLurkin
13
posted on
09/03/2021 2:16:21 AM PDT
by
sten
(fighting tyranny never goes out of style )
To: buwaya
14
posted on
09/03/2021 10:22:45 AM PDT
by
Pollard
(#*&% Communism)
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