Astra Space

Astra Space designs and manufactures Rocket 4, a small-class expendable launch vehicle engineered for rapid deployment from mobile ground infrastructure. The vehicle is designed to carry approximately 600 kilograms to low Earth orbit and utilizes a first-stage engine developed in-house alongside Hadley engines provided by Ursa Major for upper-stage propulsion. Astra operates from manufacturing and testing facilities in Alameda, California, and maintains launch capabilities at the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Alaska and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The company is currently focused on the inaugural test flight of Rocket 4, which is scheduled for mid-2026.

Through its spacecraft engine division, Astra produces the Astra Spacecraft Engine, a Hall-effect thruster that uses xenon or krypton propellant for orbit raising and station keeping. The company has delivered over 100 engine systems to commercial and government customers and reports a significant backlog of orders. Astra transitioned to a private company in July 2024 following a period of financial restructuring and now targets markets including megaconstellation maintenance and tactical responsive launch. Its customers include the Defense Innovation Unit and the U.S. Space Force, which awarded the company contracts for military technology demonstrations and responsive space missions.