Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket explodes on third launch attempt

September 30, 2025 Reported by AI

Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket suffered a catastrophic failure moments after liftoff from Vandenberg Space Force Base, marking another setback for the small-launch vehicle. The incident, which occurred during its third flight test, destroyed the rocket and its payload. No injuries were reported, but the company now faces further delays in achieving reliable operations.