Tag: Astra
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Astra’s smallsat launcher reaches space on second test flight
Astra’s Rocket 3.2 takes off from Kodiak Island, Alaska. Credit: Astra / John Kraus On its second test flight Tuesday, Astra’s privately-developed small satellite launcher ran out of fuel seconds before reaching the velocity needed to enter orbit but exceeded the company’s expectations with an otherwise-successful climb into space from Kodiak Island, Alaska. Astra officials…
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Astra succeeds in reaching space with Rocket 3.2
Just three months after their first try at reaching orbit fell short, Astra returned to the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Kodiak, Alaska. The improved Rocket 3.2 launch vehicle lifted off on Tuesday, December 15 at 15:55 EST (20:55 UTC). The launch carried no payload, just like Rocket 3.1 in September. The goal of the launch…
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Software fix could position Astra for another launch attempt by end of year
Astra’s Rocket 3.1 vehicle lifts off Friday night from Kodiak Island, Alaska. Credit: Astra / John Kraus Astra officials said Saturday a software fix will likely resolve a guidance system problem that caused the company’s first orbital-class rocket to begin drifting off course soon after liftoff from Alaska Friday night, prompting a range safety officer…
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Astra launch falters during first stage burn
Astra’s Rocket 3.1 takes off from Kodiak Island, Alaska. Credit: Astra / John Kraus Astra’s privately-developed small satellite launcher crashed shortly after liftoff from Alaska Friday evening on the company’s first try at reaching orbit. The startup launch company confirmed on Twitter that the flight ended during the rocket’s first stage burn, following a successful…
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Astra launches on first orbital test; fails in first stage flight
Teams in Alaska supported the launch of Astra’s first orbital test flight, featuring the company’s Rocket 3.1 launcher. Liftoff from the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Kodiak, Alaska, occurred at 8:20 pm PDT on September 11 (03:20 UTC on Sept. 12). The mission failed shortly after launch during first stage flight. This launch attempt was the…
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Astra readies small satellite launcher for test flight from Alaska
EDITOR’S NOTE: Updated Aug. 3 after scrubbed launch attempt. Updated Aug. 4 after second scrub. Astra’s Rocket 3.1 stands on its launch mount at the Pacific Spaceport Complex on Kodiak Island, Alaska. Credit: Astra / John Kraus After completing a countdown dress rehearsal, Astra is gearing up for its first orbital launch attempt this week from…
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Astra ships next small satellite launcher to Alaska spaceport
Astra’s second orbital-class small satellite launcher undergoes a hotfire test before its shipment to Alaska for final launch preparations. Credit: Astra Astra’s next small satellite launcher has shipped to Kodiak Island in Alaska for final preparations ahead of a test flight planned in early August, five months after the company’s first orbital rocket faltered before…
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Astra ships next small satellite launcher to Alaska spaceport
Astra’s second orbital-class small satellite launcher undergoes a hotfire test before its shipment to Alaska for final launch preparations. Credit: Astra Astra’s next small satellite launcher has shipped to Kodiak Island in Alaska for final preparations ahead of a test flight planned in early August, five months after the company’s first orbital rocket faltered before…
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U.S. military to award smallsat launch contracts using COVID-19 relief funds
Astra’s first orbital-class small satellite launcher, designated “1 of 3,” is raised vertical in this photo taken at a spaceport on Kodiak Island, Alaska, in February. Credit: DARPA The U.S. military said this week it plans to award rideshare small satellite launch contracts to six U.S. companies using funds appropriated to help stabilize the defense…
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Astra suffers “anomaly” during pre-launch test in Alaska
File photo of Astra’s first orbital-class small satellite launcher during pre-flight testing last month at the Pacific Spaceport Complex at Kodiak Island, Alaska. Credit: DARPA A small satellite launcher built by Astra “experienced an anomaly” Monday on a launch pad at Kodiak Island, Alaska, forcing the cancellation of a planned orbital launch attempt this week,…