NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Failure

Message In A Booster

Launch Time
Tue Apr 29, 2025 13:37 UTC

Problem during stage separation and second stage ignition caused disintegration of the separated 1st stage and the loss of the Lightning engine nozzle extension on the 2nd stage, substantially reducing the engine’s thrust. 2nd stage reached 320 km in altitude but did not reach orbital velocity, eventually impacted the Pacific Ocean north of Antarctica.

Rocket

Alpha
Image Credit: Firefly Aerospace
Firefly
Status: Active
Price: $15.0 million
Liftoff Thrust: 801 kN
Payload to LEO: 1,030 kg
Stages: 2
Strap-ons: 0
Rocket Height: 29.48 m
Fairing Diameter: 2.2 m
Fairing Height: 5.0 m

Mission Details

LM400 Technology Demonstrator

First of up to 25 launches of Low Earth Orbit technology demonstration satellites to be built and operated by Lockheed Martin.

Demonstration mission for Lockheed Martin LM400 satellite bus, which will carry a communications payload. The satellite bus is customizable to support different missions — including remote sensing, communications, imagery and radar — as well as orbits and launch configurations.

Payloads: 1
Polar Orbit

Location

SLC-2W, Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Stats

2025

92nd orbital launch attempt

Alpha

6th mission
1st mission of 2025
2nd failed mission