A cryptical rocket launch that took place from Alaska to begin with this calendar month may have ended in nonstarter , grant to reports .
On July 20 , Californian company Astra Space launched their “ Rocket 1 ” from the Pacific Spaceport Complex , settle on Kodiak Island , off the coast of mainland Alaska .
But in a statement that the Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) sent toSpaceNews , the FAA noted the roquette “ experienced a bad luck ” , with experts noting this may imply the rocket failed after launching . However , Craig Campbell , president of Alaska Aerospace who mesh the launching land site , said Astra Space were pleased with how it turned out .
“ I can confirm that a launch from the Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska fall out on Friday , July 20th and that the client is very pleased with the outcome of the launch , ” he said .
“ While a post - launch squad is reviewing the results of the launch , I can state that there was no stuff damage to our readiness as a resultant of this launch . "
Not much is known about the launch , other than it was a suborbital escape – meaning the rocket engine would concisely enter space before returning to Earth .
Back in April , The Registerreported that the roquette would take an “ soggy upper stage on a sub - orbital trajectory on an AZ of 188.5 degrees . ” The launching was to begin with schedule for April 5 , but was stay for strange reasonsjust minutesprior to liftoff .
The Register also note that , found on available documents , Rocket 1 looks like about 12 meter ( 39 foot ) tall and would be capable of contract 100 kg ( 220 pounds ) into depleted - Earth orbit . This would make it a competitor for other small rocket launching companies likeRocket Labin the US andOrbexin the UK .
Small launching like this are becoming increasingly look for after , not least as satellite technology continues to shrink . They enable quick , cheap launching into clean low ambit , utile for a potpourri of purposes from scientific discipline to communication .
“ Historically , little orbiters have had to thumb costly ride on self-aggrandising Eruca sativa , which , as the adjective imply , are meant for heavy satellites,”Wirednoted last year . “ But have got dedicated providers that tailor to their shrunken - down needs means more smallsat companies can get to space considerably , cheaper , and quicker . ”
At the time of composition , Astra Space had not yet responded to a request for gossip . For now , the exact purpose and effect of the Rocket 1 launch remains a piece of a whodunit .
