Firefly Investigating Signal Loss That Led To Engine Shutdown

September 10, 2021
Firefly Alpha rocket
Firefly’s Alpha rocket lost one of its four first-stage engines 15 sec. after liftoff but continued flying for more than 2 min. until it began to tumble, prompting a range safety officer to detonate the booster’s Flight Termination System.
Credit: Matt Hartman
The day before Firefly Aerospace launched its first Alpha rocket, Founder and CEO Tom Markusic was most concerned about the hold-down clamps at the base of the booster that must release within milliseconds to allow the vehicle to lift off. “I can accept if we ultimately find another problem that we...

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