First launch scrubbed; next attempt Tuesday

Astra’s first launch attempt from the Pacific Spaceport Complex Sunday evening was scrubbed.

For the most part, the launch seemed like a go, with only a slight delay for winds.

But about 15 minutes from launch, a boat had wandered into the waterway hazard zone, an area south of Narrow Cape that Alaska Aerospace, which manages the launch complex, must keep clear for the launch. According to Alaska Aerospace, when a launch is scheduled, they hire a boat to position near Ugak Island to communicate with nearby vessels about the hazard zone.

But with about ten minutes to launch, they could not clear the wandering boat before the 8:00 pm launch window closed, so the launch was scrubbed.

Astra, a California-based aerospace company, is attempting to test launch Rocket 3.1, a small rocket capable of delivering small satellites to low orbit.

Due to weather conditions, Astra will not attempt a launch today (Monday).

Tuesday’s launch window is from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm.