Firefly Flight Test Ends In High-Altitude Explosion

Irene Klotz September 03, 2021
Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket explodes after launch.
Credit: Matthew C. Hartman
VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, California—Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket exploded roughly 2 min. after liftoff on Sept. 2, ending a debut flight test some 10 years in the making. The 97.6-ft.-tall Alpha booster, powered by a quartet of liquid oxygen- and kerosene-fueled Reaver engines, lifted off...
Irene Klotz

Irene Klotz is Senior Space Editor for Aviation Week, based in Cape Canaveral. Before joining Aviation Week in 2017, Irene spent 25 years as a wire service reporter covering human and robotic spaceflight, commercial space, astronomy, science and technology for Reuters and United Press International.

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