Author Topic: FAILURE: Firefly Alpha 1st flight - Vandenberg SLC-2W - 3 Sep 2021 (01:59 UTC) (Read 88209 times)

Robert Thompson · « **Reply #100 on:** 09/03/2021 02:01 am »

frack

RocketLover0119 · « **Reply #101 on:** 09/03/2021 02:02 am »

Anomaly!

Robert Thompson · « **Reply #102 on:** 09/03/2021 02:02 am »

Anyway. Keep at it guys.

Jarnis · « **Reply #103 on:** 09/03/2021 02:03 am »

Seemed to also have major underperformance, Mach 1 callout came way late. And if Max-Q came slightly after that, this looks like a possible breakup at Max-Q.

Perchlorate · « **Reply #104 on:** 09/03/2021 02:03 am »

Gigantic first step.

pb2000 · « **Reply #105 on:** 09/03/2021 02:03 am »

It looks like there was a lot of vibration around max Q onward.

TrevorMonty · « **Reply #106 on:** 09/03/2021 02:03 am »

Bugger, better luck next time Firefly.

Sent from my SM-G570Y using Tapatalk

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #107 on:** 09/03/2021 02:04 am »

Lift-off screenshots

RocketLover0119 · « **Reply #108 on:** 09/03/2021 02:05 am »

Vehicle seemed to have heavily underperformed, got a very late call for supersonic, guessing this may have been FTS. but for first flight, getting that high is incredible!!

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #109 on:** 09/03/2021 02:05 am »

https://twitter.com/emrekelly/status/1433611879683960837

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Solid first liftoff for Firefly, but an anomaly brought an end to today’s flight:

panjabi · « **Reply #110 on:** 09/03/2021 02:06 am »

To any Firefly team members reading this:

What a great effort in getting the rocket off on your first launch window on your first launch attempt! Y'all did great! Keep your chins high and go back to work on getting Beta out.

To the dreamers come the rewards!

Awesome job team!

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #111 on:** 09/03/2021 02:06 am »

https://twitter.com/firefly_space/status/1433611679170850833

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Alpha experienced an anomaly during first stage ascent that resulted in the loss of the vehicle. As we gather more information, additional details will be provided.

MATTBLAK · « **Reply #112 on:** 09/03/2021 02:07 am »

Comga · « **Reply #113 on:** 09/03/2021 02:10 am »

Quote from: Jarnis on 09/03/2021 02:03 am

Seemed to also have major underperformance, Mach 1 callout came way late. And if Max-Q came slightly after that, this looks like a possible breakup at Max-Q.

But it got to Mach 1 (supersonic) much later than planned, so that Max-Q would be in much thinner air than it was designed for,.
Therefore structural stress from aerodynamics shouldn't be the cause of the final "anomaly".

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #114 on:** 09/03/2021 02:11 am »

https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1433613251946827778

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Firefly's Alpha rocket suffered an anomaly after liftoff. @NASASpaceflight

Edit to add:

https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1433613487515734020

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Hope to see Firefly back at the pad soon. It was an exciting launch for sure!

JEF_300 · « **Reply #115 on:** 09/03/2021 02:13 am »

I wonder if it could be something as simple as the ice not all shedding. It seemed to carry maybe even the majority of the ice that had formed on it for the whole flight. Just look at that Jack Beyer image.

kdhilliard · « **Reply #116 on:** 09/03/2021 02:14 am »

Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 09/03/2021 02:00 am

twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1433610695145295872
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LAUNCH! Firefly's Alpha launches from Vandenberg's SLC-2W.
...

I first though it sounded like there was an "Abort" between "Five" and "Four", and was surprised when it launched, but replaying it, I think the callout might have been "Clear Board".

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #117 on:** 09/03/2021 02:21 am »

https://twitter.com/rockettlord/status/1433611814336663552

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ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE first flight for Alpha! There’s nothing but pure joy here with the team and seeing how much love the twitter fam has been sending is amazing 🖤🚀🤍

Wolfram66 · « **Reply #118 on:** 09/03/2021 02:29 am »

They may need to get that hydrophobic coating SpaceX applies to falcon

RocketLover0119 · « **Reply #119 on:** 09/03/2021 02:34 am »

Anomaly GIF. Vehicle looks to have slammed sideways, went off course for a second, then blew. Would assume in a scenario like this either FTS fired or aerodynamics shredded the vehicle.