Photo: Astra Space
Astra Space fails on first commercial rocket launch
–
–
The rocket was supposed to launch four NASA satellites into orbit. However, after separation, the second stage began an uncontrolled rotation and communication with it was interrupted.
American startup Astra Space failed during the first commercial launch of its rocket. The launch vehicle on the evening of Thursday, February 10, was unable to launch the payload – satellites – into a given orbit due to technical malfunctions. About it reported in company.
“We encountered an issue during today’s launch that resulted in the payload not being placed into orbit,” Astra Space wrote.
Approximately 3.5 minutes after launch, the first stage of the launch vehicle separated automatically. Despite the inclusion of the engine of the second stage, it began an uncontrolled rotation, and after a few seconds, communication with it was interrupted.
The cameras aren’t in sync so I fixed that pic.twitter.com/Vb1aSxpQPi
— Scott Manley (@DJSnM) February 10, 2022
The launch vehicle Launch Vehicle 0008 launched at Cape Canaveral in Florida and was supposed to put four compact NASA satellites into low Earth orbit. The launch was part of an ongoing initiative by the US agency to send experimental small spacecraft into orbit from various applicant companies.
After the failed launch, Astra’s stock plummeted, losing about a third of its value.
Astra, founded in 2016, is focused on launching small rockets into space. It is planned that they will put into orbit small satellites on board from various universities, non-profit and other organizations. The first successful launch of the Astra rocket took place in November last year, and before that the company was plagued by failures. By the way, the current launch was postponed twice due to technical problems.
Recall that last November Astra successfully launches light launch vehicle Rocket 3.4 with US Space Force test payload.
In 2020 Astra made two test launches his rocket, but they ended in failure.
News from Korrespondent.net in Telegram. Subscribe to our channel https://t.me/korrespondentnet
–
