SCRUB: Astra – DARPA Challenge launch #1 – Kodiak – March 2, 2020

[PM3]

This thread is only about the first Astra launch. Please refer to

* the Astra thread for general Astra topics
* the DARPA launch challenge thread for general infos on the challenge

Some more backbround info:

* DARPA Launch Challenge website
* German Wikipedia article I wrote a year ago about the challenge => Google Translation
* Spacenews Article by Jeff Foust about Astra and the Launch Challenge

Astra is the only contender left in the challenge, after Vector went bankrupt and Virgin bailed out.

First launch is currently scheduled for the time from February 25 to March 3, 2020, 20:30 to 24:00 UTC from Kodiak. An announcement by DARPA is expected around February 18. Astra should about now receive the payload from DARPA, and will fly the rocket ~ next week to Kodiak.

The original Challenge terms are: If the launch succeeds, Astra gets $ 2 million and the task to do a second launch within a few weeks from a TBA spaceport (reportedly either Vandenberg, Wallops or San Nicolas Island). On success of the second launch, Astra receives $ 10 million.

Let's see if these terms hold, or if they allow Astra to repeat a launch after failure. Astra expects high risk of failure for both launches.

[PM3]

Launch will be livestreamed!
https://twitter.com/Kemp/status/1228738806892781568

[PM3]

Website: https://www.darpalaunchchallenge.org/index.htm

Video of April 2019:

[PM3]

Here is the first rocket for the DARPA challenge, named "One of Three", before shipping to Kodiak:

https://twitter.com/astra/status/1229575401892007936

And in the comments:

GC: When is next launch attempt? Will it be live-streamed? Pretty please?
Astra: Next week. Yes. More details soon.

[gongora]

The existing DARPA Launch Challenge thread:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=45508.0

[gongora]

https://twitter.com/SpcPlcyOnline/status/1229892455727849473

DARPA has updated its launch challenge website with lots of new info and will webcast the launch, whenever it happens, on its YouTube channel. https://darpalaunchchallenge.org
Astra has several days to do the launch. Will be about 11:30 am LOCAL TIME IN KODIAK. (GMT-9)

[russianhalo117]

Payloads:

P-POD:
The Poly Picosatellite Orbital Deployer (P-POD) is a standard deployment system built by Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. The P-POD can deploy up to three unit CubeSats with a standard dimension of 10cm x 10cm x 10cm. The P-POD consists of a structural aluminum rectangular box that encapsulates the entire payload of CubeSats, a spring ejection mechanism, a door, and a non-explosive release mechanism.
Prometheus:
Prometheus satellites are Department of Defense CubeSats developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory. The Prometheus CubeSat effort is one of a handful of initiatives that seeks to improve the responsiveness of space capabilities by reducing tasking and data dissemination timelines to provide military operators with tactically relevant information.
University of South Florida Articulated Reconnaissance and Communications Expedition – 1 (ARCE-1):
ARCE-1 is a research and technology demonstration mission consisting of three CubeSats, which will fly together in the same orbit and perform inter-satellite networked communications and a high degree of system autonomy. Through ARCE-1, the University of South Florida aims to demonstrate the algorithms and hardware systems necessary to support large constellations of LEO satellites that will intelligently reconfigure around different tasks, gracefully handle faulty and failed satellites, and operate with a minimum of oversight from Earth-based operators.
The Space Object Automated Reporting Systems (SOARS):
SOARS combines space-object beacons; automated, low-cost, ground collection sites; and a central control center which together provide near-real time 24/7 location data to support space situational awareness, space domain awareness and orbital safety activities. The SOARS beacon being launched will enable system performance testing under actual orbital conditions, allowing Tiger Innovations to refine and mature the beacon technology while supporting ground station operations and data integration utilizing real world data.
Payloads manifested on Launch 1 have favorably completed all interagency and flight safety reviews. Details about Launch 2 payloads will be shared with the team 30 days before the launch.

[abaddon]

Per SpaceNews, DARPA has modified the challenge rules to allow both launches to be conducted from the same spaceport.

[eeergo]

Range track:

https://twitter.com/LaunchStuff/status/1230393813971193856

[Mammutti]

L-7: DARPA Launch Challenge/Launch 1 Preparation

In preparation for Launch 1 in the DARPA Launch Challenge, Astra vehicle "1 of 3" travels from the company's facility in Alameda, California, to Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska in Kodiak, Feb. 18, 2020.

[Mammutti]

DARPA Launch Challenge: What is the Payload?

DARPA Launch Challenge seeks to demonstrate “just in time” payload integration as part of the overall goal for rapid and responsive use of space. In contrast with typical launch campaigns where payload data is given to the launch provider months prior, details of the payloads for Launch 1 were shared with the launch team on January 22, 2020 (L-30 days). The Launch 1 payload manifest consists of four CubeSats and one hosted payload. The team received the payloads at the launch site, where integration with the rocket is being finalized.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/launchstuff/status/1231203507165941760

Updated notams for Astra Rocket 3.0

25Feb 2030-2359 UTC

26th and 27th also reserved.

[john smith 19]

L-7: DARPA Launch Challenge/Launch 1 Preparation

In preparation for Launch 1 in the DARPA Launch Challenge, Astra vehicle "1 of 3" travels from the company's facility in Alameda, California, to Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska in Kodiak, Feb. 18, 2020.

While I've long thought it possible to put a full LV in an ISO shipping container it's still impressive to actually see it being done.

I wish the team the very best of luck in their attempt.

[brussell]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyVmhDkVMNs&feature=youtu.be

[Steven Pietrobon]

Interesting seeing them integrate the payloads inside the shipping container the rocket is in.

[FlattestEarth]

https://twitter.com/LaunchStuff/status/1231598693595385862

[input~2]

EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
GULF OF ALASKA.
ALASKA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
252030Z TO 252359Z FEB,
ALTERNATE 2030Z TO 2359Z
DAILY 26 FEB THRU 03 MAR
IN AREAS BOUND BY:
A. 57-24.91N 152-11.05W, 57-27.62N 152-18.13W,
57-26.03N 152-27.94W, 57-24.19N 153-10.60W,
54-35.69N 153-41.60W, 54-34.44N 153-33.71W.
B. 43-45.27N 158-30.71W, 43-28.14N 156-51.07W,
41-48.65N 157-21.32W, 42-07.57N 159-03.62W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 040059Z MAR 20.//

Authority: AKAEROSPACE 122251Z FEB 20.

[PM3]

New NOTAMs for 27 Feb. 20:30 to 28 Feb. 00:01

!CARF 02/172 ZAK AIRSPACE DCC PSCA-DARPA LAUNCH STNR ALT RESERVATION
WI AN AREA DEFINED AS 5738N15222W TO 5737N15217W TO 5736N15210W TO
5734N15204W TO 5730N15159W TO 5725N15157W TO 5719N15157W TO
5710N15202W TO 5704N15204W TO 5640N15215W TO 5506N15255W TO
5336N15336W TO 5222N15407W TO 5220N15407W TO 5054N15444W TO
5053N15444W TO 5052N15444W TO 4329N15656W TO 4205N15722W TO
4221N15855W TO 4345N15827W TO 5721N15247W TO 5729N15244W TO
5732N15241W TO 5735N15237W TO 5737N15229W TO POINT OF ORIGIN SFC-UNL
2002272030-2002280001

!CARF 02/173 ZAN AIRSPACE DCC PSCA-DARPA LAUNCH STNR ALT
RESERVATION WI AN AREA DEFINED AS 5738N15222W TO 5737N15217W TO
5736N15210W TO 5734N15204W TO 5730N15159W TO 5725N15157W TO
5719N15157W TO 5710N15202W TO 5704N15204W TO 5640N15215W TO
5506N15255W TO 5336N15336W TO 5222N15407W TO 5220N15407W TO
5054N15444W TO 5053N15444W TO 5052N15444W TO 4329N15656W TO
4205N15722W TO 4221N15855W TO 4345N15827W TO 5721N15247W TO
5729N15244W TO 5732N15241W TO 5735N15237W TO 5737N15229W TO POINT OF
ORIGIN SFC-UNL 2002272030-2002280001

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/astra/status/1232068679220641793

1of3 Arriving in Kodiak

[Steven Pietrobon]

Ready to be raised to vertical.