Firefly's Alpha rocket fails in space, sends Lockheed satellite falling into ocean

U.S. company Firefly Aerospace's rocket, Firefly Alpha, performs a booster separation, seen top-left over Earth, after launching from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, U.S., April 29, 2025 in this still image taken from social media video. Firefly Aerospace via REUTERS

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket suffered a technical issue on Tuesday as it ascended into space on its sixth flight, causing a Lockheed Martin satellite it was supposed to place into orbit to crash into the Pacific Ocean.

About two minutes following liftoff from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, the engine nozzle on Alpha's upper portion broke off in space moments after it attempted to separate from the rocket's core booster as designed, "substantially reducing the engine's thrust," Firefly said.