WASHINGTON, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Firefly Aerospace ( FLY ) on

Monday said the booster stage for an Alpha rocket that was due

to launch in the coming weeks was destroyed during a testing

mishap in Texas.

"During testing at Firefly's facility in Briggs Texas, the

first stage of Firefly's Alpha Flight 7 rocket experienced an

event that resulted in a loss of the stage. Proper safety

protocols were followed, and all personnel are safe," the

company said in a statement.