T+196: Checking In on Small Launch with Firefly Alpha, Astra LV0006

Main Engine Cut Off

Last week, Firefly made their first flight attempt of Alpha, and Astra launched their latest vehicle, LV0006. Though both ended in failure, it’s a good time to check in on them and other small launchers that will debut soon like, ABL’s RS1 and Relativity’s Terran 1, and how they may all compete with each other.

This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 42 executive producers—Brandon, Matthew, Simon, Lauren, Melissa, Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Ryan, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, Matt, The Astrogators at SEE, Chris, Aegis Trade Law, Fred, Hemant, Dawn Aerospace, and seven anonymous—and 662 other supporters.

Topics

• Firefly Alpha failure blamed on premature engine shutdown - SpaceNews
• Jack Beyer (@thejackbeyer) / Twitter
• Firefly Alpha FLTA001 - YouTube
• Firefly partners with Aerojet Rocketdyne, mulls AR1 engine for Beta launch vehicle - SpaceNews
• T+177: NASA VCLS 2, Relativity, Astra, and Firefly - Main Engine Cut Off
• Astra Rocket 3.3 launch fails - SpaceNews
• Astra Conducts Test Launch | Astra
• Lockheed Martin makes block buy of launches from ABL Space Systems - SpaceNews
• Lockheed Martin pitching mid-size satellite bus to DoD for remote sensing - SpaceNews
• ABL, Astra, Relativity selected to compete for U.S. Space Force responsive launch contracts - SpaceNews
• Virgin Orbit to expand launch business, move into satellite services - SpaceNews
• Relativity raises $650 million round, announces Terran R rocket - SpaceNews
• Relativity to open a huge factory that measures up to its grand ambitions | Ars Technica

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• Artwork photo by ESA