Firefly Aerospace Inc. reported that the Federal Aviation Administration has cleared the company to resume launches of its Alpha rocket following the Flight 6 mishap on April 29, 2025. An investigation with the FAA and an Independent Review Board of government, customer, and industry representatives found that the flight safety system operated as intended and both stages landed safely in the Pacific Ocean, with no risk to public safety.
The inquiry identified excessive heat from plume-induced flow separation, linked to a higher angle of attack, as the most probable cause of a first-stage rupture that ultimately prevented Alpha Flight 6 from reaching its target orbit, stopping three seconds short of orbital velocity. Firefly states that corrective actions, including increasing thermal protection on Stage 1 and reducing angle of attack during key phases, have already been implemented, and the company is now working to determine the next available launch window for Alpha Flight 7.
Firefly Aerospace insider transaction amended to correct previously reported amount. Director Jonathan Donald Lusczakoski executed a purchase of 2,222 shares of common stock at $45 per share on 08/06/2025 and, following that transaction, beneficially owns 2,222 shares directly. The filing amends an earlier report that had erroneously stated a purchase of 266 shares; this amendment updates the record to the correct 2,222-share purchase. The transaction is reported under code P, indicating a purchase of shares.