TROPICS-1 Cubesats Lost in Astra Launch Failure

The Astra rocket carrying two TROPICS-1 cubesats failed to deliver the spacecraft into their planned orbits, resulting in the loss of the satellites.

"Despite a loss of the first two of six satellites, the TROPICS constellation will still meet its science objectives with the four remaining CubeSats distributed in two orbits."

NASA statement.

"We had a nominal first stage flight. The upper stage shut down early and we did not deliver the payloads to orbit. We have shared our regrets with @NASA and the payload team. More information will be provided after we complete a full data review," Astra posted on Twitter.

The TROPICS-1 mission launched Sunday from Cape Canaveral, FL. It is the second time an Astra rocket failed to deliver its payload in three launches this year. The company's stock price reportedly lost 25 percent following the failed launch.

NASA said it is "disappointed" in the loss of the mission, but that the science planned using the TROPICS constellation would be unaffected.

"The mission is part of NASA’s Earth venture program, which provides opportunities for lower-cost, higher risk missions. Despite a loss of the first two of six satellites, the TROPICS constellation will still meet its science objectives with the four remaining CubeSats distributed in two orbits. With four satellites, TROPICS will still provide improved time-resolved observations of tropical cyclones compared to traditional observing methods," the agency said in a statement posted to its website.

TROPICS is an Earth venture mission - science-driven, competitively selected, low-cost missions that provide opportunity for investment in innovative Earth science to enhance our capability to better understand the current state of the Earth system and to enable continual improvement in the prediction of future changes.

As the agency works with emerging launch providers for cost-effective launch capabilities to space, these types of missions are important to expand our scientific knowledge while fostering the U.S. commercial launch industry.

As an FAA licensed mission, the FAA and Astra will lead the investigation to understand what happened during the TROPICS-1 launch. NASA will lend any expertise needed but would expect to pause the launch effort with Astra while an investigation is being conducted.

NASA’s Launch Services Program, which is managing the launch service for the mission, says it will continue to work with emerging launch providers to deliver low-cost science missions into orbit with contracts that align with commercial practices, using less NASA oversight to achieve lower launch costs. Small satellites and Class D payloads tolerate relatively high risk and serve as an ideal platform for technical and architecture innovation, contributing to NASA’s science research and technology development.

Thanks to the transparency displayed by Astra, NASA has been involved with the investigation on Astra’s previous launch. Additionally, we have been engaged in the discussions about lessons learned and corrective actions. We recognize the risks inherent in a new launch provider and will lend our assistance as needed.

(Sources: ASTRA Twitter, NASA statement. Image from NASA video)