Astra's first launch for NASA aborted after engine ignition

[thesquirrel]

It's better to abort than to lose a vehicle. Computer saw something it didn't like and saved itself, just means the system did its job.

[benjaminsmith]

That was an impressively precise abort!

[thenerdyouknowabout]

And thats why we start the engines, make sure theyre healthy, THEN release the clamps. Saw something it didnt like, conservative shutdown, saved the mission. Better to try again than lose the vehicle.

[hubertcumberdale]

Successful failure. Good job Astra! And I'm not being condescending. A lot has to go right for a successful launch.

[thewilliam]

It is just amazing that they can control that all in just a second or two !

[smevox]

Fantastic save.

Pretty sweet that now we have the great ability to just shut down.

People might see this as a failure, but this is still a success, the cargo is safe.

[xmidge]

Data predicts the best possible outcome of failure. Glad we are able to still abort like these in times

[raygale]

The instructions said, "Light blue touch paper and stand well clear"
Super impressive they can shutdown at that stage without major damage.

[okrajoe]

Looks cool with all the vapor coming off...

[cherylmC]

This pocket rocket format would be great for West Coast launches as well, perhaps even from the Seattle (!) area. Would also work from a marine platform because it's small enough to be transported by ship.

[FactTalkOfficial]

You're quite fast dude! Anyway, hopes up for Astra.

[nicholaiginovaef]

"where's the kaboom? there was supposed to be an earth-shattering kaboom"- Marvin M.

[dei_stroyer]

Wind: Is windy.
Computer: UNEXPECTED VIBRATION ABORT ABORT!!!!

[csch]

Suprising that they are avaible to detect failure long before the worse part of a launch. That could safe human life if they sent human to space. Its good to know they have the technology to do so

[guerro]

Is this the same one that blew up today?

[FranktheDachshund]

An engineer was reading through the launch manual,
near the bottom of page 39 the instruction read :
at t minus 3 seconds press the start button...
the directions continued on the top of page 40:
after you have switched off the green abort cycle switch.

[ReiniGrauer]

Do you think United Rentals is happy their air compressors (generators?) are like 30 feet away from a rocket launch?

[tomservo]

that's okay, it happens to all of us once in awhile. Nothing to be embarrassed about

[Pubiro]

hi, i want to ask question, whats happend on rocket, i see everytime condensed gas output?

[jffrocks]

Astra has safely returned to the launching pad... oh wait, it never left.