Firefly Investigating Signal Loss That Led To Engine Shutdown

Irene Klotz 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...

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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