Space startup Firefly Aerospace from Noosphere Ventures investment portfolio conducted the first test launch of its Alpha rocket.
The company has been developing the rocket since 2017 when the investment fund Noosphere Ventures led by Max Polyakov invested in this space startup and saved it from bankruptcy. Over four years, Polyakov has invested over $200 million in Firefly Aerospace.
On September 2, 2021, at 6:59 PM PDT (September 3, 4:59 AM Kyiv time), the rocket successfully launched from the Vandenberg Space Force Base launch site in California, USA.
All systems worked properly, but the speed increased slower than necessary due to the loss of thrust in one of the engines. As it moved through transonic and into the supersonic flight, the rocket got out of control, and a special flight termination system ended its flight.
The Alpha rocket is the first spacecraft of its kind built and tested in several years since the Falcon 9. The Alpha can deliver up to 1,000 kg of cargo into orbit, which makes the rocket unrivaled in this niche.
Despite the early termination of the rocket’s test flight, Firefly received a significant amount of critical data that they will consider for the second flight. So, they will significantly increase the chances for the rocket to reach orbit. Together with partners from the FAA and Space Launch Delta 30, the company has started investigating the test launch and will prepare to launch the next rocket.
The launch of Alpha is a triumph for Ukrainian investor Max Polyakov and the Firefly Aerospace team.
