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news on June 13, US local time on Sunday, the Rocket Company Astra space encountered a major failure in the meteorological satellite mission launched for NASA, resulting in the loss of two satellites p>
it is reported that the launch vehicle 0010 (lv0010 for short) of Astra space successfully lifted off at the Cape Canaveral launch pad in Florida on Sunday afternoon, but suffered a major failure about 10 minutes later p>
amanda durk Frye, head of Astra space rocket's first stage and engine production, admitted: "We conducted a normal first stage flight. However, the second stage engine was shut down early, and we failed to put the payload into orbit." Using a disposable two-stage carrier rocket, the company is able to put 330 pound (about 150 kg) satellites into low earth orbit p>
subsequently, the company added on Twitter: "we have informed NASA and the payload team about the accident and will provide more information after completing the comprehensive data review." Sunday's launch attempt was initially planned to take place at noon, but was delayed due to the passing of ships and fuel problems in the launch area p>
Sunday's mission failure is Astra space's second failure this year. In February this year, the company failed to launch four NASA microsatellites in the Elana 41 mission, which is the first attempt of Astra space to launch payloads for customers. The problem was with the rocket payload fairing, which the company repaired to avoid a similar situation p>
one month later, Astra space successfully put the customer's payload into orbit. Its lv0009 rocket lifted off from the launch pad of the Pacific Space port on Kodiak Island, Alaska. The company had previously conducted four test flights there. Astra space has completed seven launch missions into orbit, including the test mission without any payload that can generate revenue, two of which have been successful. The first was in November last year, and the second was in March this year p>
nasa often cooperates with newly established rocket companies to launch low-cost scientific payloads to promote the development of the rocket industry p>
thomaszurbuchen, head of NASA's science department responsible for overseeing the mission, wrote on Twitter: "Although the launch of Astra space did not proceed as planned, the mission provided a good opportunity for new science and launch capabilities. Although we are a little disappointed now, we know that it is worth the risk in the entire NASA science portfolio, because innovation is needed to maintain leadership." p> The lv0010 launched on Sunday with two small satellites designed by the Lincoln Laboratory of Massachusetts Institute of technology to measure humidity and precipitation in the tropical storm system. They are the first batch of six satellite networks managed by NASA. Astra space also plans to launch the remaining satellites in the future, with a total contract value of about US $8million p>
scott Braun, a research meteorologist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, said in a statement before launch: "these satellites will allow us to see tropical cyclones frequently, gain insight into their formation, strengthening and interaction with the environment, and provide key data for wind storm monitoring and prediction." p>
these satellites are divided into three pairs and deployed in different orbits. NASA hopes to monitor hurricanes and tropical storms every hour. It is not clear whether NASA can still achieve these goals with just four satellites, or whether the two satellites lost in the launch failure will be replaced. (small)