Comments on: Firefly loses first stage for next launch when it explodes during static fire test https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/firefly-loses-first-stage-for-next-launch-when-it-explodes-during-static-fire-test/ Mon, 06 Oct 2025 05:19:50 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Jeff Wright https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/firefly-loses-first-stage-for-next-launch-when-it-explodes-during-static-fire-test/#comment-1623483 Mon, 06 Oct 2025 05:19:50 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=117742#comment-1623483 Now Firefly wants SciTech for nearly a billion.

Do they really want to build rockets—or make money?

]]> By: Dick Eagleson https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/firefly-loses-first-stage-for-next-launch-when-it-explodes-during-static-fire-test/#comment-1623355 Wed, 01 Oct 2025 07:26:35 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=117742#comment-1623355 Quite so. Nothing quite like thermo-chemistry and gas flow physics at scale to make for an awesome scene.

]]> By: Jeff Wright https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/firefly-loses-first-stage-for-next-launch-when-it-explodes-during-static-fire-test/#comment-1623341 Tue, 30 Sep 2025 19:13:08 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=117742#comment-1623341 It certainly seems that way—the camera under SuperHeavy at launch shows exhaust interactions that all but look like dancing djinn.

]]> By: Dick Eagleson https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/firefly-loses-first-stage-for-next-launch-when-it-explodes-during-static-fire-test/#comment-1623335 Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:52:38 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=117742#comment-1623335 Impressive fireball and mushroom cloud.

Given the much smaller size of the vehicle, this Alpha booster’s Kaboom compares very well with that of Starship 36 back in June. I just hope the facility damage is not also comparable. SpaceX has an army and billions to expedite major infrastructure rebuilds, but Firefly does not.

Considering the number of new rockets approaching live testing I suspect we may be treated to a few more such scenes in the not too distant future. That’s just part of the deal in rocketry. I recall Heinlein writing of “the fitful demons” that live inside rocket engines.

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