SpaceX has faced some issues with its Starship and Falcon 9 rockets, despite their remarkable launch cadence. The company’s vice president of launch, Kiko Dontchev, recently addressed concerns in a post on X. Meanwhile, Firefly Aerospace is set to launch its Alpha rocket this weekend from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
SpaceX has maintained an impressive pace with 28 Falcon 9 flights since January 1, ahead of last year’s pace. However, the company’s next-generation Starship rocket is facing problems.
On a more positive note, Firefly Aerospace will launch its Alpha rocket to demonstrate technology for Lockheed Martin. This marks the sixth flight of an Alpha rocket and the first of up to 25 launches booked by the company over the next five years.
Firefly’s Alpha rocket program has undergone multiple iterations since its inception in 2014. The rocket is a key part of the company’s development and has become a leader in the US commercial launch industry for dedicated missions with 1-ton-class satellites.
The Texas-based firm recently purchased an ocean research ship, Falker Too, which enables scientists to conduct marine research on board and receive results in hours, rather than months or years. The best part is that all ROV (remotely operated vehicle) missions are streamed live, making it possible for the public to witness discoveries in real-time.
Note: Due to formatting constraints, I could not include the provided YouTube link in the article.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/03/rocket-report-ula-confirms-cause-of-booster-anomaly-crew-10-launch-on-tap