NASA’S latest mission to deliver tiny storm monitoring satellites to orbit has failed after an engine malfunction
The Astra Space mission lifted off successfully but after about 10 minutes its second-stage booster engine shut down.
The Astra Rocket 3 point 3 failed to deliver its payloads to orbit.
After a nominal first stage flight, the upper stage of the rocket shut down early and failed to deliver the TROPICS CubeSats to orbit.
— NASA's Launch Services Program (@NASA_LSP) June 12, 2022
It was carrying two small satellites that were sent to measure moisture and precipitation in tropical storm systems.
The mission was to deliver the first set of a six-satellite constellation.
This is the second mission failure for Astra this year.
NASA collaborates with smaller rocket companies to allow for science payloads to be transported and to inspire more growth in the industry.
The head of NASA’s science unit says although the mission didn’t go as planned, it did offer a “great opportunity for new science and launch capabilities”.
