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Astra Launch of TROPICS-1 for NASA

Astra is covering some expenses associated with producing this broadcast.The livestream will begin at approximately T-30 minutes until liftoff. As usual, sch...

Awards Launch Service Contract for TROPICS Mission

NASA has selected Astra Space Inc. to provide a launch service for the agency’s Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation Structure and Storm Intensity with a Constellation of SmallSats (TROPICS) mission.

TROPICS-1

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Overview

Destination: Low Earth Orbit
Mission: Earth Science

Low Earth Orbit Space Launch Complex 46 Cape Canaveral, FL, USA Probability: 40%

First two operational (TROPICS-02 & TROPICS-03) satellites for NASA's Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation Structure and Storm Intensity with a Constellation of SmallSats (TROPICS) mission. The CubeSats are designed to provide rapid-refresh microwave measurements that can be used to determine temperature, pressure, and humidity inside hurricanes as they form and evolve.

Updates

Jay • June 12, 2022, 5:56 p.m.

Second stage shut down prematurely resulting in the loss of the mission.


Jay • June 12, 2022, 5:43 p.m.

Liftoff


Jay • June 12, 2022, 5:31 p.m.

Hold released. New T-0 of 17:43 UTC


Astra Rocket 3

Family: Astra Rocket
Configuration: 3

Astra Rocket 3.0 is the third version and first orbital version of Astra Space's small satellite launch vehicle. It is designed to carry 100kg in LEO.

Specifications
  • Stages
    2
  • Length
    11.6 m
  • Diameter
    1.32 m
  • Fairing Diameter
  • Launch Mass
  • Thrust
    140 kN
Family
  • Name
    Astra Rocket 3
  • Family
    Astra Rocket
  • Variant
    3
  • Alias
  • Full Name
    Astra Rocket 3
Payload Capacity
  • Launch Cost
    $2500000
  • Low Earth Orbit
    100 kg
  • Geostationary Transfer Orbit
  • Direct Geostationary
  • Sun-Synchronous Capacity
    25 kg

Astra Space

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CEO: Chris Kemp Founded: 2005 Successes: 2 Failures: 5 Pending: 0

Agency Type: Commercial

Astra Space is a launch vehicle company based in San Francisco, California, that develops pump-fed, liquid bipropellant propulsion engines for DARPA and NASA as well as their Astra Rocket launch vehicle.

INFO WIKI

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