FAILED: Astra Rocket 3.3 launches sideways, tumbles at 35 km! (28 Aug 2021)

1 second after ignition, 1 of the rocket’s 5 engines failed, causing it to tilt sideways and “power slide“ horizontally away from the launch pad. The guidance & navigation computer was miraculously able to regain stability, and the rocket proceeded to ascend to about 35 km. However, as it was deviating from its planned trajectory, Astra controllers commanded the engines to shut down, causing it to tumble. They then executed a flight termination command to destroy the rocket. Astra did receive about 2.5 minutes of flight data, the analysis of which will be essential for their future launch attempts. Launch site: Pacific Spaceport Complex, Kodiak Island, Alaska Destination: Low Earth Orbit (did not reach) Astra Space attempted to launch their Rocket 3.3 with a test payload STP-27AD1 for the U.S. Space Force and the Space Test Program. The launch attempt on Aug 27 was automatically aborted at T - 0 seconds by the guidance computer, even as the engine ignited. The actual launch (and failure) took place on Aug 28