Last June, Astra's Rocket 3 failed to reach orbit following a second stage failure. As, initial investigations following the debacle found that the vehicle seemed to burn through its fuel supply much quicker than intended.
Astra later confirmed these findings, arguing that it happened due to a number of "small factors," including, bizarrely, that it was extra warm that day in Cape Canaveral, "which meant the fuel was slightly warmer than in prior flights."Ultimately, the problem seems to have been the result of a series of unfortunate events that caused Astra to lose the two storm-tracking cubesats — and, in the end, the company's contract with NASA.
In fact, it wasn't even the last incident involving Astra's Rocket 3. The California-based company scrapped the design altogether last yearWhile it's a major setback for the space launch company, itimportant for these kinds of government contractors to take responsibility when they mess up — and it's good to see some humility.
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