Astra Fails To Launch Rocket Into Orbit, But Learns A Lot

Launch Vehicle 0006 is launched from the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Kodiak, Alaska. (photo: NASASpaceflight)

JAKARTA - Astra's first rocket launch since the company went public, was not as successful as expected. An engine failed to fire a second into launch causing the rocket to drift sideways before attempting to reach orbit.

The flight safety crew accidentally turned off the engine, 2 minutes and 28 seconds, in flight after a piece of the rocket appeared to have exploded. Whereas before returning to earth, he had reached an altitude of 31 miles.

The two-stage Launch Vehicle 0006 (or LV0006) was originally scheduled to launch from the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Kodiak, Alaska, on Friday, August 27. The launch was postponed to August 28 after the rocket's guidance system called the abort. According to Space, the initial cancellation was due to engine configuration issues.

The second launch attempt also failed to reach orbit. But Astra CEO Chris Kemp seemed optimistic when speaking to CNBC. "It obviously didn't work to put anything in orbit, but it was a flight where we learned a lot," said Kemp.

He noted that the effort contributed “a large amount of data” to be reviewed and that Astra plans to use what it has learned and apply it to the LV0007 currently in production.

On Twitter Kemp noted that the engine failed to start but said he was "very proud" of the Astra team for its performance during the launch.