Statements from Firefly FLTA006 mission page:

April 29, 2025, 8 am PDT: Following a nominal liftoff of Firefly’s Alpha rocket, there was a mishap during first stage separation for the FLTA006 mission that impacted the Stage 2 Lightning engine nozzle. We are working with our Lockheed Martin customer, the Space Force, and FAA to conduct a thorough investigation and determine the root cause. As more information is available, we will be providing updates here.

April 29, 2025, 11 am PDT: Today, Firefly’s Alpha FLTA006 launch began with a nominal liftoff and progressed through first stage flight, reaching target separation velocity. The rocket then experienced a mishap between stage separation and second stage ignition that led to the loss of the Lightning engine nozzle extension, substantially reducing the engine’s thrust.

Initial indications showed Alpha’s upper stage reached 320 km in altitude. However, upon further assessment, the team learned the upper stage did not reach orbital velocity, and the stage and payload have now safely impacted the Pacific Ocean in a cleared zone north of Antarctica.

Firefly recognizes the hard work that went into payload development and would like to thank our mission partners at Lockheed Martin for their continued support. The team is working closely with our customers and the FAA to conduct an investigation and determine root cause of the anomaly. We will provide more information on our mission page after the investigation is completed.

Damn, this sucks for Firefly. I was hoping that they could put some of Alpha’s early failures behind them and start building up a success streak, but it seems that Alpha still has issues to work out.

Jonathan McDowell: https://bsky.app/profile/planet4589.bsky.social/post/3lnxsllfh6k2q

It now seems somewhat unclear whether FLTA0006 did in fact reach orbit. We’ll see whether or not Space Force orbit data emerges later in the day. I am provisionally assuming a failure to reach orbit, and assigning it GCAT launch designation 2025-F05 (fifth orbital failure of the year)

https://bsky.app/profile/planet4589.bsky.social/post/3lnxsolgi3s2q

Remaining questions for Firefly: What was the final perigee height? (guessing from -1000 km to +150 km range). What was the estimated reentry location?(assuming no orbit was reached). Poss. but unlikely it could have reached Madagascar; equatorial Pacific more likely IMO.

https://bsky.app/profile/planet4589.bsky.social/post/3lnxstvbnus2q

Or possibly 2025-U01, designating it a marginal-orbit launch.

SECO confirmed. Vehicle seemed to have a slight spin afterwards.

Expected loss of signal.

Webcast coverage ended. Firefly will post mission updates on their website and social media, once they reestablish communications after the expected blackout.

MECO, stage separation, Lightning engine ignition, and fairing jettison.

Liftoff!

Engine chill has started.

Go no-go poll is complete, they are go for launch.

Firefly Aerospace are live for another launch attempt today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkusoizm-Zk

Official report from statement from Firefly: https://x.com/Firefly_Space/status/1916859894247927947

Alpha #FLTA006 has been scrubbed for the day due to an issue with ground support equipment. We have backup days open April 29 through May 1 at @SLDelta30 and will keep you posted as we get more information. The rocket and spacecraft remain healthy and ready for launch.

Another go no-go poll, hold on GSE software and helium.

Now targeting the very end of the launch window.

Edit: Scrub for the day.

Firefly Aerospace are live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4wYA10FzI8

John Galloway (NASASpaceflight) and Morgan Feanny (Structures Engineer) are hosting.

Hold called at T-4:44…

Edit: GSE power issues. They are go for a recycle of the countdown.

Go no-go poll complete, they are go for launch.

Hold called, countdown clock reset to T-17 minutes.

Edit: Countdown clock reset to T-25 minutes, countdown resumed.