The Astra launch of two NASA CubeSats to monitor tropical storms failed on June 12, when the rocket’s upper stage shut down prematurely.
Astra’s Rocket 3.3 vehicle, designated LV0010, lifted off from Space Launch Complex 46 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 1:43 p.m. Eastern.
The liftoff took place near the end of a two-hour window that opened at 12 p.m. Eastern after an initial launch attempt was stopped less than two minutes before liftoff because of an issue with the rocket’s liquid oxygen propellant, according to Space News.
Initially, everything went according to plan: The first stage firing for three minutes, followed by engine shutdown, deployment of the payload fairing, and stage separation.
However, the upper stage engine was supposed to ignite and fire for 5 minutes and 15 seconds, according to Astra. But about four minutes into that burn, video from the rocket briefly showed a plume from the engine, after which the vehicle appeared to tumble.
The planned shutdown of the engine and the deployment of the two CubeSats passed in silence,
Astra took to Twitter to send regrets about the failed mission: “We had a nominal first-stage flight. The upper stage shut down early and we did not deliver the payloads to orbit. We have shared our regrets with @NASA and the payload team. More information will be provided after we complete a full data review.”
This is Astra’s second failed launch attempt out of three this year. Another launch for NASA, also taking place from Cape Canaveral on Feb. 10, failed when the payload fairing failed to separate, a problem the company traced to a flaw in the wiring diagram for the separation system.
Sunday’s launch was the first of three for NASA’s Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS) constellation,
In a news release, NASA said that “despite a loss of the first two of six satellites, the TROPICS constellation will still meet its science objectives with the four remaining CubeSats distributed in two orbits. With four satellites, TROPICS will still provide improved time-resolved observations of tropical cyclones compared to traditional observing methods.”
“Small satellites and Class D payloads tolerate relatively high risk and serve as an ideal platform for technical and architecture innovation, contributing to NASA’s science research and technology development.” NASA said, reports WTVR.com. “The program offers opportunity for industry developing new launch capabilities.”
