Astra rocket suffers major failure during launch, 2 NASA satel | Astro Wonders

Astra rocket suffers major failure during launch, 2 NASA satellites lost

An Astra rocket carrying two small hurricane-tracking satellites for NASA failed to reach orbit Sunday (June 12) after a major malfunction shortly after liftoff.

The Astra rocket, called Launch Vehicle 0010 (LV0010), suffered a second-stage failure after lifting off from a pad at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 1:43 p.m. EDT (1743 GMT). Two NASA cubesats, the first of a six-satellite fleet to track hurricanes as part of a $30 million mission, were lost.

"We had a nominal first stage flight; however, the upper-stage engine did shut down early and we did not deliver our payloads to orbit," Astra's Amanda Durk Frye, senior manager for first stage and engine production, said during live launch commentary.

"We have shared our regrets with @NASA and the payload team," Astra officials added in a Twitter update. "More information will be provided after we complete a full data review." Sunday's attempted launch was initially targeted for 12 p.m. EDT (1600 GMT), but was delayed by a boat in the launch zone and a fueling issue.

Astra's LV0010 mission was carrying the first satellites of NASA's Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS). It was the first of three planned TROPICS missions this year by Astra, each carrying two NASA cubesats about the size of a loaf of bread, to complete the hurricane-watching constellation. Astra's three-mission TROPICS deal with NASA is worth a total of $7.95 million for the company.

https://www.space.com/astra-rocket-launch-failure-nasa-hurricane-satellites-lost

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