NASA Response to Astra Launch Failure and Loss of TROPICS-1 Mission
While we are disappointed in the loss of the two TROPICS CubeSats, the mission is part of NASA’s Earth venture program, which provides opportunities for lower-cost, higher risk missions. Despite a loss of the first two of six satellites, the TROPICS constellation will still meet its science objectives with the four remaining CubeSats distributed in two […]
Astra Sets Launch Date for TROPICS
Astra Space Inc. is targeting no earlier than June 12, pending issuance of a launch license from the Federal Aviation Administration, for the first launch of NASA’s Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS), a constellation of six CubeSats. Two CubeSats, each about the size of a loaf […]
Astra Announces Electric Propulsion System Contract with LeoStella
Astra Space and LeoStella announced a contract for Astra to provide multiple Astra Spacecraft Engines for LeoStella satellites. Astra is expected to begin delivering the propulsion systems later this year and into 2023. LeoStella designs and manufactures operational satellites cost-effectively and at scale. Astra’s Spacecraft Engine has demonstrated that it can assist satellites in achieving and […]
Astra and Spaceflight Inc. Announce Multi-Launch Contract
Astra Space and Spaceflight Inc. today announced a multi-launch contract. The first launch under this contract is planned for today, March 14, 2022, with a window opening at 9:22 am PDT / 16:22 UTC out of the Astra Spaceport in Kodiak, Alaska, but may be shifted to March 15, 2022 depending on conditions at the […]
Astra to Launch NASA’s ELaNa 41 Mission Today Between 1:00 p.m. EST and 3:00 p.m. EST
Photo credit: John Kraus/Astra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kr5eccZdIyk Text Adapted from NASA Blog. Astra Space Inc. announced that its launch of NASA’s Educational Launch of Nanosatellites (ELaNa 41) mission has been delayed because an unnamed range asset went out of service. Its Rocket 3.3 was scheduled to launch at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 5 from Space Launch […]
Kodiak rocket complex hosts successful orbital launch in freezing cold
The launch on Friday marked Astra’s first successful commercial orbital launch for the U.S. Space Force at the Pacific Spaceport Complex.
Astra stock surges 30% after the rocket builder reached orbit successfully
The company’s rocket LV0007 launched from the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Kodiak, Alaska, carrying a test payload for the U.S. Space Force.
Elon Musk congratulates space startup Astra for reaching orbit for the first time
“Congrats! Orbit is not easy,” Musk wrote in a tweet to Astra.
Rocket builder Astra reaches orbit for the first time
Astra joins SpaceX, Rocket Lab and Virgin Orbit in the group of U.S. companies that have reached orbit with a privately-funded rocket.
Watch Replay Coverage of the Astra 0007 Test Launch
Launch time was 12:30 am EST (05:30 GMT) on November 20th at the Pacific Spaceport Complex, Kodiak Island, Alaska. The destination was Low Earth Orbit’