Astra Rocket#Launch history

Ventions, the predecessor to Astra, had developed an air-launched orbital launch system for the SALVO program. Development of an electric-pump-fed rocket engine, later known as Delphin, took place as part of SALVO in 2012.

In 2016, Ventions was re-incorporated as Astra, under the ownership of Chris Kemp. The reorganized company proceeded to begin the development of a new carrier rocket, designed to be as simple and as inexpensive as possible. The rocket was to be both very small and constructed of basic materials, in order to facilitate a goal of launching on a daily basis. Additionally, it was to be transported in standard shipping containers and have a highly automated launch system that required as few personnel as possible. To accelerate the development of this new launch system, Astra made use of designs and hardware from the SALVO rocket.{{Cite book |last=Vance |first=Ashlee |title=When the Heavens Went on Sale: The Misfits and Geniuses Racing to Put Space Within Reach |publisher=Ecco |year=2023 |isbn=9780062998873 |pages=204–320}}

In 2017, Astra, under the name Ventions, received funding from NASA to develop the launch system.{{Cite web |last=Northon |first=Karen |date=2017-02-22 |title=NASA Establishes New Public-Private Partnerships |url=http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-establishes-new-public-private-partnerships-to-advance-us-commercial-space |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=NASA}}

In November 2021, after nine years of development, Rocket 3.3 reach orbit for the first time.

In August 2022, citing the poor reliability of Rocket 3, Astra announced that it was ending operations of the vehicle and transitioning into development of Rocket 4, an all-new design.{{Cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=2022-08-05 |title=Astra cancels Rocket 3 to focus on larger vehicle |url=https://spacenews.com/astra-cancels-rocket-3-to-focus-on-larger-vehicle/ |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}{{cite press release |url=https://investor.astra.com/news-releases/news-release-details/astra-announces-second-quarter-2022-financial-results |title=Astra announces second quarter 2022 financial results |date=4 August 2022 |access-date=5 August 2022 |work=Astra}}

SALVO (Small Affordable Launch Vehicle to Orbit, later Small Air Launch Vehicle to Orbit) was a two stage rocket with two electric-pump-feed engines in its first stage.{{Citation | last = Vaughan | first = David | contribution = Technology Development of an Electrically Driven Pump Fed Storable Liquid Bi Propellant for a Mars Ascent Vehicle | date = 2017-09-25 | title = International Astronautical Congress 2017 | publisher = California Institute of Technology | contribution-url = https://dataverse.jpl.nasa.gov/dataset.xhtml?persistentId=hdl:2014/48568

}} It was developed to be a pathfinder for the much larger ALASA. Only two people were required to launch the rocket - the pilot and the weapon system officer (WSO) of the F-15 carrier aircraft. ALASA was intended to send 45kg to orbit at a target launch price of $1 million USD.{{cite web |title=DARPA Awards Contracts for Airborne-launcher Study |url=https://spacenews.com/darpa-awards-contracts-airborne-launcher-study/ |website=SpaceNews |access-date=12 June 2024 |date=2012-06-04}} ALASA, along with SALVO, was terminated in 2015 due to technical challenges.{{cite web |last1=Gruss |first1=Mike |title=DARPA Scraps Plan To Launch Small Sats from F-15 Fighter Jet |url=https://spacenews.com/darpa-airborne-launcher-effort-falters/ |website=SpaceNews |access-date=12 June 2024 |date=30 November 2015}}

Rocket 1 was a test vehicle developed using unflown hardware and software from SALVO. This vehicle utilized five first stage "Delphin" engines. While second stage engine "Aether" was still being developed, an upper stage (second stage) mass simulator was used in its place. A number of unsuccessful launch attempts were made between March 2018 and July 2018, with launch ultimately taking place 20 July 2018; the launch was a failure.

This launch had no customer and acted as a suborbital test flight using a mass simulator for the second stage, as the Aether second stage engine was still in development. There was no payload on board. The mission planned to fly on an azimuth of 195° from the spaceport, but the license did not disclose the planned altitude or downrange distance for the mission. The launch happened on 29 November 2018; the launch was a failure.

Rocket 3 was a 11.6 m (38 ft) launch vehicle that had a payload capacity of 25 kg (55 lb) to a 500 km (310 mi) Sun-synchronous orbit. The rocket consisted of two stages. The first stage had five electric-pump-fed "Delphin" engines with 6,500 lbf (29,kN) of thrust each. The second stage had one pressure-fed "Aether" engine with 740 lbf (3.3kN) (vacuum) of thrust.{{fact|date=April 2024}}

The first Rocket 3, "1 of 3" or "Rocket 3.0", completed a static fire test at Castle Airport, California. It was planned to launch from Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska (PSCA) with attempted launches in late February and early March 2020, with the last launch attempt on 2 March 2020, as part of the DARPA Launch Challenge. Three CubeSats for the U.S. Department of Defense and the University of South Florida, along with a space-based beacon designed to aid in space traffic management, were slated to ride into orbit on "1 of 3". On 2 March 2020, DARPA and Astra officials said the Prometheus CubeSat, the University of South Florida's two Articulated Reconnaissance and Communications Expedition (ARCE) nanosatellites, and the space-based radio beacon payload were to be removed from the rocket after the end of the Launch Challenge. Astra had failed to launch within the DARPA Launch Challenge's launch window; launch preparations continued regardless for the test flight.{{Cite web |date=2020-05-11 |title=DARPA Launch Challenge Closes With No Winner |url=https://www.darpa.mil/news-events/2020-03-03 |access-date=2024-05-18 |archive-date=11 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511115645/https://www.darpa.mil/news-events/2020-03-03 |url-status=bot: unknown }} The rocket suffered a destructive fire at the launch pad on 23 March 2020.

The second Rocket 3, "2 of 3" or "Rocket 3.1", was launched on 12 September 2020. The launch ended in failure.

The third Rocket 3, "3 of 3" or "Rocket 3.2", was launched on 15 December 2020. The launch ended in failure.

On 20 November 2021, Astra's Rocket 3.3 vehicle (serial number LV0007) successfully reached orbit after launching from Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska (PSCA) carrying the demonstration payload STP-27AD2 (COSPAR 2021-108A, SATCAT 49494) for the United States Space Force.{{fact|date=April 2024}}

On 15 March 2022, Astra Rocket 3.3 vehicle (serial number LV0009) successfully reached orbit with the Astra-1 mission.{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Stephen |title=Astra launches first successful mission with operational satellites – Spaceflight Now |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/03/15/astra-launches-first-successful-mission-with-operational-satellites/ |access-date=2024-05-18 |language=en-US}}

Rocket 3.3 failed 3 launches: 28 August 2021, 10 February 2022, 12 June 2022; see launch failures below.

Rocket 4 is to be a new launch vehicle, much larger than the previous Rocket 3.3 and capable of carrying up to {{cvt|600|kg|lb|abbr=on}} to orbit, and {{cvt|350|kg|lb|abbr=on}} to a sun-synchronous orbit.{{Cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=2023-03-31 |title=Astra says Rocket 4 development on schedule for late 2023 first flight |url=https://spacenews.com/astra-says-rocket-4-development-on-schedule-for-late-2023-first-flight/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Stephen |date=2023-08-15 |title=Astra's new rocket won't launch until 2024—if it ever flies |url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2023/08/fighting-for-survival-astra-taps-the-brakes-on-new-smallsat-launcher/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}} The vehicle's upper stage is designed to integrate the Ursa Major Hadley engine,{{Cite web |last=Erwin |first=Sandra |date=2023-04-24 |title=Ursa Major to supply upper-stage engine for Astra's new rocket |url=https://spacenews.com/ursa-major-to-supply-upper-stage-engine-for-astras-new-rocket/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}} while the booster will feature 2 {{cvt|70000|lbf|kN|abbr=on}} turbopump-fed engines.{{Cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=2022-05-13 |title=Astra reveals details of next, larger rocket |url=https://spacenews.com/astra-reveals-details-of-next-larger-rocket/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}} The booster engine, referred to as "Chiron", is procured from Firefly Aerospace under contract, in which Firefly modified Reaver engines to have different gimballing, thrust, and mixture control to meet Astra's needs as part of Firefly's rocket engine program.{{cite web |title=Firefly to Become the Premier Supplier of Rocket Engines and Spaceflight Components for the Emerging New Space Industry |url=https://firefly.com/firefly-to-become-the-premier-supplier-of-rocket-engines-and-spaceflight-components-for-the-emerging-new-space-industry/ |website=Firefly |access-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812233223/https://firefly.com/firefly-to-become-the-premier-supplier-of-rocket-engines-and-spaceflight-components-for-the-emerging-new-space-industry/ |archive-date=12 August 2021}} Firefly would initially supply up to 50 Chirons to Astra.{{Cite web |last=Roulette |first=Joey |date=2021-09-21 |title=Launch startups Astra and Firefly ink secret rocket engine IP deal |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/21/22670063/astra-firefly-reaver-rocket-engine-ip-agreement |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}

In September 2020, Astra submitted a proposal to the Air Force's AFWERX program titled "Responsive Launch Enabled by Astra's Rocket 5.0". Rocket 5 was to be a variant of the Rocket 3 dedicated to suborbital point-to-point delivery, featuring a modified second stage between the Rocket 3's first and upper stages.{{cite web|last=Berger|first=Eric|date=2020-10-01|title=Astra pitches larger rocket, suborbital cargo-delivery plan to Air Force|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/10/astra-pitches-larger-rocket-suborbital-cargo-delivery-plan-to-air-force/|publisher=Ars Technica|archive-date=2 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002072625/https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/10/astra-pitches-larger-rocket-suborbital-cargo-delivery-plan-to-air-force/|url-status=live|access-date=2020-10-02}}

{{ #invoke:Chart | bar chart

| float = center

| width = 450

| height = 300

| stack = 1

| group 1 = 2:0:2:1:2

| group 2 = 0:0:1:0:0

| group 3 = 0:0:0:0:0

| group 4 = 0:0:0:1:1

| group 5 = 0:0:0:0:0

| colors = DarkRed : Black : Goldenrod : ForestGreen : LightBlue

| group names = Failure : Loss before launch : Partial Failure : Success : Planned

| x legends = 2018:2019:2020:2021:2022

| y tick marks= 3

}}

Of nine launches of Astra rockets, seven were failures, with an additional rocket destroyed during preparations for launch.

At approximately 22:00 UTC on 20 July 2018, Rocket 1 left the Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska (PSCA) Launch Pad 2 for the company's first sub-orbital launch attempt. After approximately 27 seconds of propelled flight, the rocket began to fall, exploding after hitting the launch pad. As the launch took place in heavy fog and was furthermore kept secret, little was known about the launch failure. Confirmation of the failure took place a day later when the Federal Aviation Administration stated that a mishap had occurred.

Rocket 2 was launched 30 November 2018 at 03:00 UTC from Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska, Launch Pad 2, the same used for Rocket 1. After approximately 30 seconds of powered flight, the Delphin engines began to fail, causing the rocket to fall and crash into the ground. The maximum altitude attained by Rocket 2 was stated to be about {{Convert|100|m|ft|abbr=on}} greater than that for Rocket 1.

On 23 March 2020, Rocket 3.0 was destroyed in an explosion during testing in preparation for launch. Partway through the series of tests, the supply of helium gas, used to prime parts of the rocket, was depleted. To complete a first stage test, it was decided to transfer surplus helium from the second stage into the booster. However, the helium had been cooled by the adjacent cryogenic liquid oxygen. A plastic valve used to control the flow of helium thereafter became stuck open due to the cold temperatures encountered, allowing unrestricted flow of helium into the booster. The resulting gas buildup caused a tank to rupture, causing the rocket to explode on the pad, destroying itself and the launch infrastructure.

On 12 September 2020, Rocket 3.1 was launched from the PSCA. After ascending for some 15 seconds, the rocket began to exhibit roll oscillation, which caused it to deviate from its intended trajectory. The rocket's flight was therefore terminated about 30 seconds after liftoff, destroying the vehicle.{{cite web |last=Sheetz |first=Michael |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/16/san-francisco-startup-astra-is-going-for-its-first-orbital-rocket-launch-in-july.html |title=Rocket startup Astra trying for an orbital launch again in July 2020, renewing fundraising efforts |publisher=CNBC |date=16 June 2020 |access-date=16 June 2020 |archive-date=17 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617033820/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/16/san-francisco-startup-astra-is-going-for-its-first-orbital-rocket-launch-in-july.html|url-status=live}}

On 15 December 2020 at roughly 20:55 UTC, Astra launched its third Rocket 3 vehicle, called Rocket 3.2. The rocket successfully passed the Kármán Line and reached its target orbital altitude of 390 kilometers, a first for Astra. However, due to issues with the upper stage's fuel mixture, the rocket failed to achieve orbit. The company declared the flight a success, arguing that their objective for the test flight was to achieve a successful cut-off of the first stage's main engine, which was achieved.{{cite web|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=2020-12-15|title=Rocket startup Astra reaches space for the first time with second launch attempt from Alaska |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/15/astra-rocket-3point2-reaches-space-after-launch-from-alaska.html|publisher=CNBC|access-date=2020-12-16}}{{cite web|last=Etherington|first=Darrell |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/12/15/launch-startup-astras-rocket-reaches-space-for-the-first-time/|title=Launch startup Astra's rocket reaches space|publisher=TechCrunch|date=15 December 2020|access-date=16 December 2020}}

On 28 August 2021 at 22:35 UTC, Astra launched its fourth Rocket 3 vehicle, Rocket 3.3 (serial number LV0006). The flight carried an instrumentation payload for the United States Space Force under the Space Test Program, and a separation of payload from the launch vehicle was not planned. Shortly after liftoff, a single engine failure caused the vehicle to begin drifting horizontally for several tens of meters off the launch pad before beginning to ascend vertically.{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/10/astra-explains-previous-failure-sets-october-date-for-next-launch-attempt/|title=Astra explains previous failure, sets October date for next launch attempt |author=Berger, Eric|publisher=Ars Technica|date=October 12, 2021|access-date=October 12, 2021}} The rocket then exceeded its allowable trajectory, and was destroyed about 2 minutes and 28 seconds after launch. The rocket reached a peak altitude of 50 km (31 mi) before crashing into the ocean downrange of the launch site. Astra determined a small propellant leakage from the launcher fueling system caused an explosion that disabled one of the five engines.{{Cite news |date=2021-08-29 |title=Astra Rocket's Test Launch for Space Force Fails to Reach Orbit |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-08-29/astra-rocket-s-test-launch-for-space-force-fails-to-reach-orbit |access-date=2023-09-26}}{{cite tweet|number=1431771682767876100 |user=jeff_foust|title=Just got off a brief call with Astra. One of the five first stage engines failed less than one second into flight. Range triggered the engine shutdown at T+2.5 minutes because the launch vehicle was outside its normal flight trajectory.}}

On 10 February 2022, Rocket 3.3 LV0008 successfully launched. However, the payload fairing failed to separate and ignition of the second-stage occurred with the fairing still attached. The second stage punched through the fairing and spun out of control. Shortly after this anomaly the flight was terminated and the payload lost. The post-launch investigation later found that the failure was caused by an error in the wiring diagram which prevented the fairings from separating completely before second stage ignition, coupled with a software problem that resulted in the upper stage engine being unable to use its thrust vector system to correct the tumbling after stage ignition.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-06 |title=Post-Launch Investigation: What We Found And Next Steps {{!}} Astra |url=https://astra.com/news/post-launch-investigation-what-we-found-and-next-steps/ |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=astra.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-03-08 |title=Astra blames launch failure on wiring error and software flaw |url=https://spacenews.com/astra-blames-launch-failure-on-wiring-error-and-software-flaw/ |access-date=2022-03-14 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}

On 12 June 2022, Astra Rocket 3.3 vehicle (serial number LV0010) failed to reach orbit after unusually high fuel consumption was observed. The rocket's payload, two TROPICS satellites for NASA's TROPICS weather research (rainfall and hurricanes) constellation, was destroyed. A post-mission failure analysis determined that the high rate of fuel consumption was ultimately caused by fuel boiling within the regenerative cooling channels of the Aether engine. This effect, previously unobserved, was attributed to the warmer weather at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station heating the fuel more before it was loaded onto the vehicle compared to the weather encountered at Astra's Alaska launch site. This was the final flight of Rocket 3.{{Cite web |last=Aubert |first=Zac |date=2023-03-01 |title=Astra Concludes Tropics-1 Launch Failure Investigation - TLP News |url=https://tlpnetwork.com/news/2023/03/astra-concludes-tropics-1-launch-failure-investigation |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=The Launch Pad}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Reflist|group=Note}}

{{commons category|Astra (aerospace) launch vehicles}}

{{Orbital launch systems}}

{{US launch systems}}

Category:Astra (aerospace)

Category:DARPA projects

Category:NASA programs

Category:Expendable space launch systems

Category:Microsatellite launch vehicles

Category:Space launch vehicles of the United States

Category:Vehicles introduced in 2012

Category:Public–private partnership projects in the United States

Category:NASA space launch vehicles