Emergency launch of Firefly Alpha rocket causes Lockheed Martin satellite to fall into Pacific Ocean

Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket crashed during its sixth launch on April 29, 2025. A technical failure caused the Lockheed Martin satellite it was supposed to launch into orbit to fall into the Pacific Ocean, Reuters reports.

The accident occurred about two minutes after launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. According to Firefly, a nozzle on the upper stage of the rocket broke off, significantly reducing thrust. Although the rocket reached an altitude of 320 km, it failed to reach its planned orbit and re-entered the atmosphere.

Firefly said the rocket and satellite fell into a pre-determined area north of Antarctica. During the ascent, the launch broadcast recorded debris separating from the rocket, and telemetry data disappeared earlier than usual.

This is the fourth failed mission out of six for the Alpha rocket since 2021. The company made its first successful moon landing in March. The current launch was the first under a deal between Firefly and Lockheed Martin that calls for up to 25 launches by 2029.

The LM 400 Technology Demonstrator satellite, funded entirely by Lockheed Martin, was intended to test new technologies for potential future contracts, including with the Pentagon. The company noted that despite the loss of the device, the data and experience gained during the mission will be valuable for future projects and customers.

Firefly, along with Lockheed, the U.S. Space Force, and the FAA, is currently investigating the exact causes of the incident.