Astra LV0007 - STP-27AD2 - Kodiak - 20 November 2021 (0616 UTC)

[RocketLover0119]

Astra has announced the launch window for the STP-27AD2 mission! First window is from October 27th-October 31st!

https://astra.com/news/lv0007-launch-window/

https://twitter.com/ChrisG_NSF/status/1447910039751208962

[tleski]

https://twitter.com/Kemp/status/1447932576119808004

[xyv]

I know it's a white star and next to a US flag but wow that picture has a Red Square May Day parade vibe to it.  I think the stepped diameter rocket makes me think missile

[Ken the Bin]

Notice from Alaska Aerospace, Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska.

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post; October 22 update:

https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/

Oct. 28 • Rocket 3 • STP-27AD2
Launch window: 0400-0730 GMT (12:00-3:30 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Pacific Spaceport Complex, Kodiak Island, Alaska

[cdebuhr]

I know it's a white star and next to a US flag but wow that picture has a Red Square May Day parade vibe to it.  I think the stepped diameter rocket makes me think missile

I hear ya.  I've never been able to help but look at Astra's rocket and think that it really looks like it should be coming out of a hardened silo.

[FlatFootShift]

Considering there is a potential launch tomorrow, nothing whatsoever to talk about, no one hyped or anything, and most importantly not even the Astra director or marketing person? Never seen a company with so little to say

[trimeta]

[Upcoming launch thread: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=54982.0]

Considering there is a potential launch tomorrow, nothing whatsoever to talk about, no one hyped or anything, and most importantly not even the Astra director or marketing person? Never seen a company with so little to say

Sounds like the start of the launch window has been moved to November 5th:

https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1453092583580782593

[trimeta]

The October 27th-31st part of the launch window appears to have been removed, they're now only talking about the window beginning November 5th:

https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1453092583580782593

[Ken the Bin]

The October 27th-31st part of the launch window appears to have been removed, they're now only talking about the window beginning November 5th:

Astra tweeted about that.

https://twitter.com/Astra/status/1453095600581275649

We’re proud of our team for getting us back to the pad in 60 days. After the team & LV0007 arrived in Kodiak, we learned planned range improvements would not finish in time to complete the necessary preparations for a launch in 1st segment of our window. Stay tuned. #AdAstra

[Ken the Bin]

Updated notice from Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska:

Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska (PSCA) will be conducting a launch from Launch Pad LP-3B at Narrow Cape, Kodiak, Alaska, with a launch azimuth of 172°. Daily launch operations are scheduled between 0400-0730 UTC which is 2000-2330 Alaska Time on November 5th through November 12th, 2021. Mariners are requested to remain clear of the Hazard Areas during the scheduled launch operations.

Note: On Sunday, November 7, Alaska will change from AKDT to AKST, so beginning on Monday morning UTC, Sunday evening AKST, the local time will be 1900-2230.

[Ken the Bin]

Per the FAA TFRs, here's clarification about the time change from AKDT to AKST.  Local time is staying the same and the UTC time is changing.

This also clarifies that the dates in the PSCA notice are relative to local time, not UTC.

Saturday, November 6 - Sunday, November 7 at 04:00-07:30 UTC (Friday - Saturday at 20:00-23:30 AKDT).
Monday, November 8 - Saturday, November 13 at 05:00-08:30 UTC (Sunday - Friday at 20:00-23:30 AKST).

[Lewis007]

Launch has shifted to the right again, the window is now Nov 8 - 14, with a static fire test coming up.

https://twitter.com/Astra/status/1456053217238810625

[Ken the Bin]

Here's an updated notice from the PSCA.  It does NOT include the new delay reflected in the tweet posted above, but it does provide clarification of the dates being local and adds two more launch days.

Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska (PSCA) will be conducting a launch from Launch Pad LP-3B at Narrow Cape, Kodiak, Alaska, with a launch azimuth of 172°. Daily launch operations are scheduled between 0400-0730 UTC which is 2000-2330 Alaska Time on November 05th through November 07th, 2021 (local). Daily launch operations are scheduled between 0500-0830 UTC which is 2000-2330 Alaska Time on November 08th through November 14th, 2021 (local). Daily launch operations are scheduled between 0500-0830 UTC which is 2000-2330 Alaska Time on November 18th through November 19th, 2021 (local). Mariners are requested to remain clear of the Hazard Areas during the scheduled launch operations.

Here's my interpretation of the current schedule:

Tuesday, November 9 - Monday, November 15 at 05:00-08:30 UTC (Monday - Sunday at 20:00-23:30 AKST).
Friday, November 19 - Saturday, November 20 at 05:00-08:30 UTC (Thursday - Friday at 20:00-23:30 AKST).

[Jrcraft]

Not to be off topic, but if this flight reaches orbit, can we get an Astra section?

[Ken the Bin]

I haven't seen anything from Astra, but per the updated FAA TFR, there will not be a launch attempt tonight (8/9 Nov).  The next available opportunity is tomorrow night (9/10 Nov).

Effective Date(s):
      From November 10, 2021 at 0500 UTC
      To November 13, 2021 at 0830 UTC

[Ken the Bin]

Now Astra has tweeted:

https://twitter.com/Astra/status/1457868668038103040

LV0007 update: We have started static fire operations in Kodiak. We expect to launch no earlier than Nov 11th. Stay tuned for updates. #AdAstra

[zubenelgenubi]

LV0007 update: We have started static fire operations in Kodiak. We expect to launch no earlier than Nov 11th. Stay tuned for updates. #AdAstra

NET November 12 05:00 UTC = NET November 11 20:00 AKST

[zubenelgenubi]

Potential for two USA orbital launches on November 12 UTC:
This launch,
Starlink 4-1.

Edit: Or not.

[zubenelgenubi]

Seeking news regarding the static fire? There's no update (yet) via Astra's Twitter account.

LV0007 update: We have started static fire operations in Kodiak. We expect to launch no earlier than Nov 11th. Stay tuned for updates. #AdAstra