Astra succeeds in reaching space with Rocket 3.2 December 15, 2020 Just three months after their first try at reaching orbit fell short, Astra returned to the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Kodiak, Alaska. The improved Rocket 3.2 launch vehicle lifted off on Tuesday, December 15 at 15:55 EST (20:55 UTC). The launch carried no payload, just like Rocket 3.1 in September. The goal of the launch was to make progress towards reaching orbit, as the young launch company continues to develop and test their small satellite launcher. Rocket 3.1 launched on September 11 on the first orbital launch attempt by Astra. Shortly after liftoff, the flight was terminated via a commanded engine shutdown by the flight safety system due to an oscillation and subsequent drift from the planned trajectory. Once the engines shut down, control of the vehicle was lost, and the rocket broke apart due to aerodynamic forces and fell to the Alaskan shore.