Astra Space

Rocket Lab to launch remaining NASA TROPICS satellites
NASA has selected Rocket Lab to launch the remaining four cubesats of a constellation to monitor tropical weather systems after the first two were lost in an Astra launch failure.

Astra lays off 16% to focus on spacecraft thrusters and new rocket
Astra Space is laying off one-sixth of its workforce, a move the company’s leadership says is needed to focus its resources on production of spacecraft electric thrusters and development of a new launch vehicle.

Astra’s strategy to address NASDAQ warning
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – While Astra Space is taking the delisting warning the company received from NASDAQ seriously, the company has “lots of different strategies” to address it, Astra CEO Chris Kemp said at the Satellite Innovation confere…

Space companies face difficult investment environment
Rising interest rates are making it more difficult for space startups to raise money, some warn, forcing them to seek alternative sources of funding.

NASA and Astra modify TROPICS launch contract
NASA and Astra Space have revised a launch contract originally awarded for the launch of a cubesat constellation after Astra retired the launch vehicle that would have launched those spacecraft.

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.