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Astra Space

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History

Astra Space is a rocket launch and satellite engine developer based in Alameda, California. Founded in 2016 as Ventures, LLC. The company was referred only as “Stealth Space Company” by the media until it went public via a Bloomberg article in 2020 [Paywalled].

The company has developed several rockets over its lifetime, naming using a basic numeral versioning method. Rocket 1 and 2 were suborbital test rockets with Rocket 3 being the first orbital and commercially available rocket. Currently, Astra is working on developing Rocket 4, a larger, more capable, and reliable rocket slated to launch in early 2024.

Image: Astra Space / John Kraus

In February 2021, Astra announced it would go public via a SPAC merger with a valuation of $2.1 billion. Shortly after that announcement, the company shared it would purchase electric propulsion manufacturer Apollo Fusion for $50 million. Because of these two deals, Astra now produces and sells the “Astra Spacecraft Engine” to satellite manufactures looking for propulsion needs.

Astra first reached orbit with its Rocket 3.3 vehicle LV0007 in November 2021 with a payload for the US Space Force. The Rocket 3 family was eventually retired in August 2022 after a rough two out of seven launch success rate.

In 2023, it became obvious that Astra was running out of cash through its quarterly earning reports. The company’s stock also tanked below the $1.00 requirement to remain on the NASDAQ for over a year. Right now, Astra founders Chris Kemp and Dr. Adam London have submitted an offer to take the company private at a $30 million valuation. That offer is still being reviewed by the board, of which both Kemp and Adam sit on.

space explored podcast

Space Explored Podcast 64: Blue Origin gets help from NASA on an orbital crew system

This week Seth and Jared recap the week’s top stories like the first launch of Rocket Lab’s HASTE, Astra’s financial future, and more. Then the two deep dive into Blue Origin’s agreement with NASA to help in its development of an orbital crew system.

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space explored podcast

Space Explored 51: Astra delisting notice, Elon Musk with Ukraine, more

This week Seth and Jared dive into Astra Space receiving a delisting warning from the NASDAQ and what that means if you own shares of the company. Also, they catch you up on all the rockets that launched last (eight in seven days!!!), Elon Musk’s peace idea for Ukraine and Taiwan, oh and what’s the deal with that Crew-5 Meatball?

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Launch Spotlight: Astra preparing for its first launch from Florida’s Space Coast

Launching NASA’s ELaNa (Educational Launch of Nanosatellites) 41 mission, Astra is attempting its first-ever east coast launch. Astra successfully reached orbit last year after three failed attempts from the Pacific Spaceport Complex, Alaska. This mission is the first time Astra will deploy satellites – four in total from various universities and NASA centers.

Launch Date: Thursday, February 10, 3:00 p.m. EST

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