https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1067094949303328771http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_8_0659.html
Did Astra get the rocket up?
Quote from: ringsider on 11/30/2018 05:25 amDid Astra get the rocket up? Yes, the FAA added it to their list of licensed launches. Given this didn't happen for the first launch, we can also likely take this as confirmation of launch success.
Quote from: Kryten on 11/30/2018 07:01 amQuote from: ringsider on 11/30/2018 05:25 amDid Astra get the rocket up? Yes, the FAA added it to their list of licensed launches. Given this didn't happen for the first launch, we can also likely take this as confirmation of launch success.It's interesting - they are now so stealthy they don't even get a peep in the press after what looks like a successful suborbital test launch.
Quote from: ringsider on 12/02/2018 07:44 amQuote from: Kryten on 11/30/2018 07:01 amQuote from: ringsider on 11/30/2018 05:25 amDid Astra get the rocket up? Yes, the FAA added it to their list of licensed launches. Given this didn't happen for the first launch, we can also likely take this as confirmation of launch success.It's interesting - they are now so stealthy they don't even get a peep in the press after what looks like a successful suborbital test launch.Exactly but this is Astra's approach already since day 1, however I wondering why they having this odd approach like it's a top secret rocket program.Anyway is it just visual illusion or does it looks like the second Astra is longer then the first one? I do looking to the existing pictures and video's and I seeing a difference where the first Astra didn't having a light-gray part between the fairing and the first stage but it's notable at the second Astra, also maybe it's a visual illusion too but it looks like the fairing is smaller at the second Astra then the first one.
Anyway is it just visual illusion or does it looks like the second Astra is longer then the first one? I do looking to the existing pictures and video's and I seeing a difference where the first Astra didn't having a light-gray part between the fairing and the first stage but it's notable at the second Astra, also maybe it's a visual illusion too but it looks like the fairing is smaller at the second Astra then the first one.
Quote from: RLA on 12/02/2018 05:09 pmAnyway is it just visual illusion or does it looks like the second Astra is longer then the first one? I do looking to the existing pictures and video's and I seeing a difference where the first Astra didn't having a light-gray part between the fairing and the first stage but it's notable at the second Astra, also maybe it's a visual illusion too but it looks like the fairing is smaller at the second Astra then the first one.What images do you speak of? The last ones posted in this thread were from 2+ months ago. Are you talking about those or some newer images?
Quote from: ringsider on 12/02/2018 07:44 amQuote from: Kryten on 11/30/2018 07:01 amQuote from: ringsider on 11/30/2018 05:25 amDid Astra get the rocket up? Yes, the FAA added it to their list of licensed launches. Given this didn't happen for the first launch, we can also likely take this as confirmation of launch success.It's interesting - they are now so stealthy they don't even get a peep in the press after what looks like a successful suborbital test launch.Exactly but this is Astra's approach already since day 1, however I wondering why they having this odd approach like it's a top secret rocket program.
Quote from: RLA on 12/02/2018 05:09 pmQuote from: ringsider on 12/02/2018 07:44 amQuote from: Kryten on 11/30/2018 07:01 amQuote from: ringsider on 11/30/2018 05:25 amDid Astra get the rocket up? Yes, the FAA added it to their list of licensed launches. Given this didn't happen for the first launch, we can also likely take this as confirmation of launch success.It's interesting - they are now so stealthy they don't even get a peep in the press after what looks like a successful suborbital test launch.Exactly but this is Astra's approach already since day 1, however I wondering why they having this odd approach like it's a top secret rocket program. This seems to be the standard MO for the companies which are primarily funded through DARPA (Whittinghill, TGV, et.c.), there tends to be very little information outside of public SBIR documents. This is particularly striking in the case of Whittinghill who used to be funded primarily through NASA. Six years ago they were open enough to get a spotlight article in SpaceNews, and now their entire website is literally just their company name and an email address.
Astra Space suborbital launch failsby Jeff Foust — December 6, 2018WASHINGTON — A test flight in Alaska of a small launch vehicle by a stealthy startup company ended in failure in late November, the Federal Aviation Administration has revealed.[…]“Even though all five engines failed, all debris landed in the spaceport boundary and there were no injuries or property damage to the uninvolved public.”
WALTER reported that commercial customer P120 had a successful launch, however the flight was not successful. Flight damage was limited to the Integration Processing Facility (IPF) exterior siding without causing any structural or internal damage to the facility.
Quote from: ringsider on 02/17/2019 09:48 amWALTER reported that commercial customer P120 had a successful launch, however the flight was not successful. Flight damage was limited to the Integration Processing Facility (IPF) exterior siding without causing any structural or internal damage to the facility.That's taking spin to the next level! How could the launch have been successful went it must have gone out of control and damaged the IPF building? Pictures of the IPF in the link below (before the damage).http://www.parabolicarc.com/2016/08/20/alaska-officials-rededicate-pacific-spaceport-complex/
Todd Master, the manager of the competition at DARPA, said the unnamed company will identify itself closer to the dates of the competition. “At this time they’re not ready to do that,” he said.