Astra Space Inc.

Based in California, Astra provides dedicated orbital launch services for payloads and small satellites, offering the lowest cost-per-launch according to the company. The company delivered its first payload–using Rocket 3.2–in 2021, just five years after its inception, making Astra the fastest company in the industry to reach this milestone. The company commenced paid commercial launches in February 2022 in Rocket 3 series launch vehicles (launch system 1.0) but discontinued in June 2022 in order to focus on the development and production of the next version of its launch system, Rocket 4 series (launch system 2.0). The company expected to conduct test launches of its new launch system in 2023. As of October 2022, Astra was developing Rocket 4.0 in conjunction with Launch System 2.0, which the company claims is capable of carrying payloads upto 600 kg, priced at USD 3.95 million per launch. 

In July 2023 , Astra carved out its spacecraft engine business into a new subsidiary, Astra Spacecraft Engines, Inc., to enhance flexibility in hiring and financing.

Following its financial and liquidity hurdles since October 2023 with its stock falling significantly by more than 90%, Astra Space was delisted from the Nasdaq in July 2024 .

Key customers and partnerships

Astra has over 50 launches in its manifest, spanning 10 corporate and government clients, including NASA and the Pentagon. In May 2022, Astra partnered with SaxaVord UK spaceport to increase its launch capabilities. In September 2022, NASA modified the terms of its existing launch services agreement with the company for NASA’s TROPICS mission to enable the launch of comparable payloads onboard Astra’s Rocket 4.0. In October 2022 , Astra Space signed an agreement with Maxar Technologies to provide electric propulsion engines for the latter’s low-earth orbit satellites.

In April 2023, Astra Space secured a USD 11.3 million task order from the Department of Defense to launch experimental payloads. This mission named STP-S29B is expected to launch in April 2025 aboard Astra’s Rocket 4.0

Funding and Financials

In June 2021, the company went public on Nasdaq through a merger with Special Purpose Acquisition Company Holicity. Trading under the ticker ASTR, the company was valued at USD 2.1 billion and received USD 500 million in cash proceeds from Holicity. The company also raised USD 200 million in a post-IPO equity round led by BlackRock.

In July 2023 , Astra announced plans to conduct a reverse stock split at a 1:15 ratio. The company also aimed to raise USD 65 million through an at-the-market offering of common stock. Proceeds from the stock sale are for working capital and general corporate purposes, including developing its next-generation launch vehicle, Rocket 4, and continued production of its Astra Spacecraft Engine electric thrusters.

In November 2023 , amidst financial turmoil, Astra secured interim financing from investors JMCM Holdings LLC and Sherpa Venture Funds II, LLP. The investors injected USD 13.4 million as outlined in a term sheet announced in October.