https://astra.com/news/stp-27ad1/QuoteASTRA ANNOUNCES MULTI-LAUNCH CONTRACT AND FIRST LAUNCH WITH DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSEAUGUST 5, 2021Space Force expected to fly demonstration launch no earlier than August 27th Alameda, CA. August 5, 2021. Astra Space, Inc. (“Astra”) (Nasdaq: ASTR), today announced a launch window beginning August 27, 2021 for its first commercial orbital launch with the United States Space Force. Following this launch, Astra is under contract to perform a second launch later this year. “We are thrilled to partner with Astra on this mission and believe this showcases critical low-cost, mobile and responsive launch capability,” said Colonel Carlos Quinones, Director, Department of Defense Space Test Program. Space Force contracted the launch through the Defense Innovation Unit’s Other Transaction Agreement with Astra. Space Force will be launching a test payload for the Space Test Program (STP-27AD1). “We’re excited to kick off a multi-launch campaign with the Space Force” said Chris Kemp, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Astra. “This orbital demonstration launch allows our team to verify numerous upgrades to our launch system.” STP-27AD1 will be conducted from Astra’s Kodiak Spaceport, located at the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Kodiak, Alaska. The launch window will begin at 1:00PM PT, on Friday, August 27, 2021 and will be open through Saturday, September 11, 2021.
ASTRA ANNOUNCES MULTI-LAUNCH CONTRACT AND FIRST LAUNCH WITH DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSEAUGUST 5, 2021Space Force expected to fly demonstration launch no earlier than August 27th Alameda, CA. August 5, 2021. Astra Space, Inc. (“Astra”) (Nasdaq: ASTR), today announced a launch window beginning August 27, 2021 for its first commercial orbital launch with the United States Space Force. Following this launch, Astra is under contract to perform a second launch later this year. “We are thrilled to partner with Astra on this mission and believe this showcases critical low-cost, mobile and responsive launch capability,” said Colonel Carlos Quinones, Director, Department of Defense Space Test Program. Space Force contracted the launch through the Defense Innovation Unit’s Other Transaction Agreement with Astra. Space Force will be launching a test payload for the Space Test Program (STP-27AD1). “We’re excited to kick off a multi-launch campaign with the Space Force” said Chris Kemp, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Astra. “This orbital demonstration launch allows our team to verify numerous upgrades to our launch system.” STP-27AD1 will be conducted from Astra’s Kodiak Spaceport, located at the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Kodiak, Alaska. The launch window will begin at 1:00PM PT, on Friday, August 27, 2021 and will be open through Saturday, September 11, 2021.
https://twitter.com/astra/status/1423425251858259968Quote Successful hot fire test ✅. bit.ly/hot-fire-LV006#AdAstra
Successful hot fire test ✅. bit.ly/hot-fire-LV006#AdAstra
Possible Astra launch windows?https://twitter.com/spacetfrs/status/1427725713633857537?s=21https://twitter.com/spacetfrs/status/1427729496866758663?s=21
https://twitter.com/kemp/status/1429188861964345349Quote@Astra just arrived in Alaska this week, and our red team has already deployed the launch system!
@Astra just arrived in Alaska this week, and our red team has already deployed the launch system!
https://astra.com/news/on-the-ground-lv0006-static/QuoteON THE GROUND: LAUNCH VEHICLE 0006 STATIC TESTAUGUST 20, 2021“The hot fire test is the final test of the entire integrated launch system, where we get to test every single component of the rocket,” explains Chris Kemp, Astra’s Founder and CEO. “It allows us to make sure all of the upgrades work before we send the rocket into space.”During this “dress rehearsal for launch,” the fully assembled vehicle is positioned on the ground while engines are fired at full thrust. The static test — or “hot fire test” as it is sometimes known — allows our team to ensure all mechanics and ground support systems are functioning as expected, ready for a successful launch.The video above shows the hot fire test for Astra Launch Vehicle 0006 on August 4, 2021. There are three main stages to the hot fire testing process that you can see in the video:Fire suppression system: Water is sprayed out of the flame deflectors to cool down the vehicle prior to thrust.All engines go: Engines are fired at full thrust, for 8-10 seconds. Flames erupt from the rocket’s booster, turning water from the fire suppression system into steam.Shutdown: Systems are shut down, measurements are taken and analyzed, and the rocket is prepared for next steps.Make sure to catch the live stream for the launch of LV0006. The launch window opens August 27, 2021 and runs through September 11, 2021. Follow us on Twitter for the latest announcements and news.
ON THE GROUND: LAUNCH VEHICLE 0006 STATIC TESTAUGUST 20, 2021“The hot fire test is the final test of the entire integrated launch system, where we get to test every single component of the rocket,” explains Chris Kemp, Astra’s Founder and CEO. “It allows us to make sure all of the upgrades work before we send the rocket into space.”During this “dress rehearsal for launch,” the fully assembled vehicle is positioned on the ground while engines are fired at full thrust. The static test — or “hot fire test” as it is sometimes known — allows our team to ensure all mechanics and ground support systems are functioning as expected, ready for a successful launch.The video above shows the hot fire test for Astra Launch Vehicle 0006 on August 4, 2021. There are three main stages to the hot fire testing process that you can see in the video:Fire suppression system: Water is sprayed out of the flame deflectors to cool down the vehicle prior to thrust.All engines go: Engines are fired at full thrust, for 8-10 seconds. Flames erupt from the rocket’s booster, turning water from the fire suppression system into steam.Shutdown: Systems are shut down, measurements are taken and analyzed, and the rocket is prepared for next steps.Make sure to catch the live stream for the launch of LV0006. The launch window opens August 27, 2021 and runs through September 11, 2021. Follow us on Twitter for the latest announcements and news.
The FAA has just issued a notification to airlines advising them of a possible rocket launch. This would be between 21:00 UTC on August 27th and 00:30 on August 28thhttps://twitter.com/SpaceTfrs/status/1431067936937103362
Desciption of the flight plan of LV0006https://astra.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Astra_MediaKit_LV0006.pdf
Astra to make third orbital launch attempt with LV0006written by Thomas Burghardt August 27, 2021Continuing the iterative path toward reaching orbit, Astra is preparing for its third orbital launch attempt. The first Rocket 3.3 vehicle, designated LV0006, is scheduled to lift off within a launch window that opens on Friday, August 27 at 2:00 PM PDT (21:00 UTC), with launch opportunities continuing through September 11.
Prop loading has begun on Astra's Rocket 3.3 (LV0006)NSF/Astra is live: youtube.com/watch?v=TvGiEt…
Coming up on T-20 minutes to the Astra Rocket 3.3 (LV0006) launch from LP-3B at the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Kodiak, Alaska.There will be a slight hold at T-20 mins for software configuration work.➡️youtube.com/watch?v=TvGiEt…
Pre-launch Water Deluge test.
Abort at T-0. Evaluating reycle.youtube.com/watch?v=TvGiEt…
In the terminal count, there was an interesting callout from the LD to the FSO, advising them to prepare to issue an 'option command' at T+164 (2m 44s into flight) calling out "an event". Going by the timeline that's just prior to MECO. AFTS is not armed and instead in shadow mode (FSO would not be inhibiting an on-board system, the FTS is fired by ground command) so something to listen out for on the next attempt.
