KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — It came down to the wire, but Astra had to abort what would have been the startup’s first ever launch from the Space Coast at the end of Monday’s countdown.
Monday’s launch was scrubbed due to a minor telemetry issue, equipment used to monitor the position and health of a launch vehicle.
The clock counted all the way down to t-minus zero before the launch was aborted.
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This was the second scrub for Astra, which called off Saturday’s attempt due to a launch range radar system issue.
Astra is trying to launch the Elana-41 Mission for NASA. It’s the company’s first operational mission.
Standing down today due to a minor telemetry issue. We are giving the team time to complete a thorough review and will provide an update on the next launch opportunity for @NASA’s ELaNa 41 mission soon #AdAstra
— Astra (@Astra) February 7, 2022
The launch will bring four Cubesats, or tiny satellites, into space for NASA, as well as the University of Alabama, the University of California Berkley, and New Mexico State University.
Read: Astra Space launch scrubbed after aborting first launch attempt
NASA chose Astra Space and two other companies to launch miniature satellites to increase its role in exploration, technology, research and education.
Astra is the first launch provider to receive a Part 450 license from the FAA. It’s an expedited license that allows for a higher launch cadence and greater flexibility.
Let’s launch some CubeSats! @Astra’s Rocket 3.3 is targeted to lift off today carrying four small satellites for @NASA’s ELaNa 41 mission. The three-hour launch window will open at 1pm ET.
— NASA's Kennedy Space Center (@NASAKennedy) February 7, 2022
💻: Follow @NASA_LSP for updates
📸: Astra/John Kraus pic.twitter.com/8rKjTbGttr
Astra’s Rocket-3, which stands just 43 feet tall, was built to carry smaller payloads to orbit in an effort to expand access to space. The company’s launch from the cape will be a major milestone toward fulfilling that objective.
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According to its website, Astra, founded in 2016, aims to offer the “lowest cost-per-launch dedicated orbital launch service of any operational launch provider in the world.”
Astra delivered its first commercial payload into Earth’s orbit in 2021, and has conducted a handful of successful launches from the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Alaska.
Astra is thrilled to be the first company with a Part 450 launch license — streamlining launch licenses in the future. Thank you @faanews for the partnership in support of our goal to expand access to space: https://t.co/IUnLj8V3v4 #AdAstra
— Astra (@Astra) February 5, 2022
Astra is the first launch provider to receive a Part 450 license from the FAA. It’s an expedited license that allows for a higher launch cadence and greater flexibility.
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Astra said it will be giving teams time to complete a thorough review and then will set a date for the next launch opportunity.
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