Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket launches successfully

 Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket launched succesfully at 1:00 A.M. today from Vandenberg Air Force Base after multiple previous attempts in September were scrubbed due to various issues.

The test flight, dubbed "To the Black", carried the Serenity and TechEdSat 15 cubesats and six smaller "pocketqube" sats contained within a PICOBUS into a 300 kilometer orbit around Earth.

A 2-stage rocket capable of carrying a payload of up to 1170 kg into orbit, Alpha aims to be "the most reliable smallsat launcher available" by combining established rocketry methods with modern advances in technology and materials to create a reliable and cost-effective launch platform.

Firefly Aerospace initally attempted to launch the Alpha in September 2021. However, due to an engine failure, the rocket spun out of control and exploded. 

Due to the success of the test flight, Firefly Aerospace is likely to perform one more Alpha launch this year, carrying several more NASA cubesats into orbit due to a contract the company won in December 2020.