US EditionFirefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket explodes during preflight test
Firefly Aerospace's stock dropped 24% after its Alpha Flight 7 booster exploded during testing, raising concerns about the rocket's reliability and delaying its return-to-flight mission.
- On Sept. 29, 2025, Firefly Aerospace's Alpha Flight 7 booster was destroyed during an acceptance test at Briggs, Texas, and shares plunged more than 24%, falling over 10% in aftermarket trading.
- Alpha's prior history shows it has had only two fully successful launches in six attempts, and the FAA approved mitigations after the Flight 6 anomaly, including thicker thermal protection and angle-of-attack adjustments.
- Firefly said in an update that `Proper safety protocols were followed, and all personnel are safe` and it is assessing damage to its stage test stand with no other facilities impacted.
- Investigators opened a probe after the incident, indefinitely delaying Flight 7 at Vandenberg Space Force Base while Firefly assesses stage test stand damage, raising uncertainty for return-to-flight and Lockheed Martin's mission.
- Having just completed its IPO that raised $868 million at a $6.3 billion valuation, Firefly Aerospace holds a $177 million NASA contract, $50 million from Northrop Grumman, and is developing the Eclipse rocket for late 2026.
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Key PointsFirefly's Alpha rocket experienced a setback on a testbed, its second incident in recent months.The company's stock has been volatile during its short time on public markets. Investors should expect that volatility to continue. 10 stocks we like better than Firefly Aerospace › Newly public Firefly Aerospace (NASDAQ: FLY) experienced a setback in a test of its Alpha rocket, its second failure in recent months. Investors are concerned ab…
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