Astra Space
Astra to sell electric thrusters to Airbus OneWeb Satellites
Astra Space announced Aug. 29 it won a contract from Airbus OneWeb Satellites to provide electric propulsion systems for the Arrow line of small satellites.
Small launch vehicle industry growth slows
The growth of the small launch vehicle industry is slowing, with fewer new vehicles entering the market and more vehicles going defunct, as demand for such vehicles lags expectations.
NASA looking for new launch of remaining TROPICS cubesats
NASA is investigating alternative ways to launch four Earth science cubesats after Astra discontinued the rocket originally contracted to launch them.
Astra cancels Rocket 3 to focus on larger vehicle
Astra Space announced Aug. 4 it is canceling its existing small launch vehicle after its most recent failure and will focus instead on a much larger vehicle that may not be ready to fly customers until 2024.
Astra launch of NASA TROPICS cubesats fails
An Astra launch of two NASA cubesats to monitor tropical storms failed June 12 when the rocket’s upper stage shut down prematurely.
Astra ready for first of three NASA TROPICS launches
Astra Space is preparing to conduct the first of three launches of NASA cubesats to monitor tropical storms as soon as June 12, pending receipt of a launch license.
Astra reveals details of next, larger rocket
Astra disclosed details about its new launch vehicle that will be capable of carrying heavier payloads and flying more frequently.
Orbex unveils prototype of rocket preparing for UK’s first vertical launch
British microlauncher startup Orbex unveiled a full-scale prototype May 11 of what it hopes will be the first-ever vertical rocket launched to orbit from British soil.
Astra to launch from U.K. spaceport
Astra announced May 10 that it plans to carry out launches from a spaceport in the Shetland Islands starting in 2023 as part of international expansion plans.
Astra prepares for TROPICS launch campaign
Small launch vehicle developer Astra says it is ready to perform a series of launches for NASA once it receives a license for those missions.
Astra wins order for electric thrusters from LeoStella
Astra Space announced April 12 an order of electric thrusters by LeoStella, part of the company’s efforts to move beyond launch.
Swarm launched satellites on Astra mission
Swarm Technologies was the unidentified customer of an Astra Space launch this month that placed 16 of its tiny satellites into orbit.
Astra’s Rocket 3.3 returns to flight with successful launch
Astra successfully returned its Rocket 3.3 vehicle to flight March 15, placing several payloads into low Earth orbit.
Astra gears up for next launch, signs Spaceflight contract
Astra Space says it will attempt its next Rocket 3.3 launch as soon as March 14 as the first flight in a multi-launch contract with Spaceflight.
Astra blames launch failure on wiring error and software flaw
Astra Space said March 7 it identified two problems that led to the failure of a launch last month as the company gears up for a new launch that may be imminent.
Astra launch of NASA-sponsored cubesats fails
The first operational launch of Astra’s Rocket 3.3 vehicle failed Feb. 10 when the rocket’s upper stage appeared to tumble out of control after stage separation.
Astra aborts launch attempt
Astra Space aborted and then scrubbed a launch of its Rocket 3.3 small launch vehicle Feb. 7 seconds before liftoff.
Astra finalizes plans for first Florida launch
Astra Space will launch four NASA-sponsored cubesats on its Rocket 3.3 vehicle as soon as Feb. 5 on a mission that will be the first to use a streamlined set of commercial launch regulations.
NASA selects a dozen companies for smallsat launch services
NASA awarded contracts Jan. 26 to a dozen companies, ranging from industry stalwarts to startups yet to launch their first rocket, to provide low-cost launches of agency smallsats.
Astra to perform next launch from Cape Canaveral
Small launch vehicle developer Astra Space announced Dec. 6 that it will conduct its next launch from a pad at Cape Canaveral in January, carrying a set of cubesats for NASA.
