Continuing the iterative path toward reaching orbit, Astra attempted its third orbital launch on Aug. 28. The first Rocket 3.3 vehicle, designated LV0006, lifted off on Saturday, Aug. 28 at 3:35 PM PDT (22:35 UTC). Less than one second after liftoff, an engine on the first stage failed, causing a sideways ascent off the pad. LV0006 temporarily recovered and reached approximately 50 km altitude before the range commanded the remaining engines to shut down, ending the mission.<\/p>\n
This was Astra\u2019s first launch with a payload onboard, albeit only a mass simulator. This test payload was part of the STP-27AD1 mission for the United States Space Force\u2019s Space Test Program. The goal of the flight was to demonstrate Astra\u2019s orbital launch capability.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope to learn a lot,\u201d said Astra Founder, Chairman, and CEO Chris Kemp, in an interview with NASASpaceflight prior to launch. \u201cThis\u2019ll be a test flight of our improved Rocket 3. We\u2019ll be taking a test payload from the Space Force, and hopefully, we\u2019ll have a full flight so we\u2019ll be able to collect a full set of data for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
The mission lifted off from LP-3B at the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Kodiak, Alaska. This was the same launch complex that hosted the Rocket 3.0, 3.1, and 3.2 launch campaigns. Kodiak\u2019s relatively quiet launch schedule and remote location offer a favorable launch site for early test flights.<\/p>\n