Astra’s Rocket 3.3 tilts before flying sideways after liftoff from the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Alaska. Credit: Astra
Astra’s small satellite launcher suffered an engine failure just after liftoff from Alaska Saturday, causing the rocket to tilt sideways before the booster recovered and climbed into the upper atmosphere. The rocket later veered from its flight corridor, and the range safety officer issued a flight termination command before the mission reached orbit.

