火箭升空失敗，洛克希德實驗衛星墜入太平洋

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(Lockheed Martin)

美國太空公司 Firefly Aerospace 的 Alpha 火箭於 2025 年 4 月 29 日從加州范登堡太空軍基地（Vandenberg Space Force Base）發射，搭載洛克希德馬丁公司（Lockheed Martin）自籌資金的 LM 400 技術展示衛星，原計劃進行低地球軌道測試。然而，發射約兩分鐘後，火箭第二級的引擎噴嘴在太空中脫落，導致推力大幅減少，無法達到預定軌道，最終衛星與火箭殘骸墜入南太平洋。 

此次任務是 Firefly 與洛克希德馬丁簽署的多次發射合作協議中的首次，該協議計劃在 2029 年前進行多達 25 次發射。Firefly 表示，將與洛克希德馬丁、美國太空軍和聯邦航空管理局（FAA）合作，調查事故原因。

Firefly 的 Alpha 火箭自 2021 年以來已進行六次發射，其中四次失敗。儘管該公司在 2025 年 3 月成功完成一次月球著陸任務，但此次事故再次引發對其可靠性的關注。 

三個重要觀點：

1. 火箭發射失敗，衛星未達預定軌道
   Firefly 的 Alpha 火箭在發射後約兩分鐘出現異常，導致洛克希德馬丁的 LM 400 衛星未能進入預定軌道，最終墜入南太平洋。
2. 首次合作發射即遭遇挫折
   此次任務是 Firefly 與洛克希德馬丁簽署的多次發射合作協議中的首次，原計劃在 2029 年前進行多達 25 次發射。
3. Firefly 火箭發射失敗率引發關注
   自 2021 年以來，Firefly 的 Alpha 火箭已進行六次發射，其中四次失敗，儘管該公司在 2025 年 3 月成功完成一次月球著陸任務，但此次事故再次引發對其可靠性的關注。

Rocket Launch Failure Sends Lockheed’s Experimental Satellite into Pacific Ocean

On April 29, 2025, Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, carrying Lockheed Martin’s self-funded LM 400 technology demonstration satellite intended for low Earth orbit testing. Approximately two minutes after liftoff, the rocket’s second-stage engine nozzle detached in space, significantly reducing thrust and preventing the vehicle from reaching its intended orbit. Consequently, the satellite and rocket debris reentered Earth’s atmosphere and impacted the South Pacific Ocean. 

This mission marked the first under a multi-launch agreement between Firefly and Lockheed Martin, planning up to 25 launches by 2029. Firefly stated it is collaborating with Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Space Force, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to investigate the cause of the anomaly. 

Since 2021, Firefly’s Alpha rocket has conducted six launches, with four failures. Although the company achieved a successful lunar landing in March 2025, this incident raises further concerns about its launch reliability. 

Three Key Takeaways:

1. Launch Failure Prevents Satellite from Reaching Orbit
   Firefly’s Alpha rocket experienced an anomaly approximately two minutes after liftoff, causing Lockheed Martin’s LM 400 satellite to fail to reach its intended orbit and ultimately fall into the South Pacific Ocean.
2. First Collaborative Launch Faces Setback
   This mission was the inaugural launch under a multi-launch agreement between Firefly and Lockheed Martin, which aims for up to 25 launches by 2029.
3. Concerns Over Firefly’s Launch Reliability
   Firefly’s Alpha rocket has had four failures out of six launches since 2021. Despite a successful lunar landing in March 2025, this recent failure raises additional concerns about the company’s launch reliability.