Launch aborted on Firefly’s 2nd attempt with Alpha rocket

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. (AP) — A year after its first Alpha rocket had to be destroyed during flight, a new aerospace company has experienced a delay in a new attempt to place multiple satellites into orbit. The launch of Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket was aborted before liftoff from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base, early Friday. The company is working to reschedule the mission. The rocket’s payload included small satellites designed for a variety of technology experiments and demonstrations as well as educational purposes. The first Alpha was launched from Vandenberg on Sept. 2, 2021, but did not reach orbit and was intentionally destroyed in flight as it tumbled out of control.