Astra

What Astra does

Astra is a private U.S. space technology company founded in 2016 by Chris Kemp (former NASA CTO, OpenStack founder) and Dr. Adam London (MIT aerospace), headquartered at a 250,000 sq ft manufacturing and test campus in Alameda, California. The company operates two product lines: a launch services business built around the Rocket 4.0 orbital launch vehicle (targeting 1 tonne payload capacity, weekly cadence, 29–110 degree inclinations) delivered from a network of mobile containerized spaceports (Kodiak, Cape Canaveral, planned SaxaVord UK), and an electric propulsion business built around the Astra Spacecraft Engine acquired via the 2021 Apollo Fusion deal. Astra went public via SPAC on Nasdaq in July 2021, reached orbit in November 2021 (fastest private company to do so at five years from founding), collapsed to a ~$12M market capitalization, and was taken private in July 2024 by its co-founders via Apogee Parent, Inc. at $0.50 per share.

The company monetizes through negotiated launch service contracts (multi-year enterprise agreements with U.S. Space Force, DoD via Defense Innovation Unit, and NASA under the VADR IDIQ with a $300M ceiling over five years) and hardware sales of electric propulsion systems and components to satellite manufacturers and constellation operators including Maxar, Astroscale, Apex, Airbus OneWeb Satellites, and LeoStella. In 2025, Astra shifted its center of gravity toward the propulsion franchise, shipping 110 satellite engine systems, generating $45M GAAP revenue (700% year-over-year growth), and reaching breakeven EBITDA on a ~100-person headcount base — down from a ~400-person peak. In June 2026, CEO Kemp publicly repositioned the company as AI-first, mandating software and AI contributions from every employee and further reducing headcount.

The customer base is anchored by long-duration U.S. government contracts (NASA, Space Force, DoD) and a growing set of commercial satellite engine customers; Rocket 4 remains in development toward a 2026 test flight. The business model is capital-efficient relative to its launch peers, evidenced by the EBITDA breakeven milestone, but execution risk on Rocket 4 cadence and the sustainability of the engine revenue ramp are the central forward-looking variables for the business.

Name

Astra

Legal name

Astra Space, Inc.

Website

https://astra.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Astra is a private U.S. space company that builds Rocket 4.0 orbital launch vehicles and the Astra Spacecraft Engine electric propulsion system, serving NASA, the U.S. Space Force, DoD, and commercial satellite constellation and bus manufacturers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Orbital Launch Services

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Launch Vehicles & Orbital Rockets (IMABACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spacecraft Propulsion (In-Space) & Thrusters (IMABACAE), Propulsion Test, Integration & Certification Services (IMABADAN)

Keywords

• Orbital launch services
• Electric satellite propulsion
• Responsive launch systems
• Satellite engine systems
• Small satellite deployment

Headquarters

HQ city

Alameda

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Launch Services: Dedicated orbital launch services for small satellites. Revenue generated from launch contracts with government agencies (Space Force, DoD, NASA) and commercial constellation operators. Launch System 2 offers target payload capacity of 600 kg with best-in-class economics. Rocket 4 development targeting 1 tonne capacity.
2. Satellite Spacecraft Engines: Sale of Astra Spacecraft Engine electric propulsion systems and Astra Propulsion Kit components. Systems are sold as fully assembled units or individual components. Revenue from contracts with satellite manufacturers and operators including Maxar, Astroscale, Airbus OneWeb Satellites, LeoStella, and Apex. 110 systems shipped in 2025 with $13M in Q4 2025 contracts for 36 additional systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Astra provides dedicated orbital launch services for small satellites via its Rocket 4.0 launch vehicle and supporting spaceport infrastructure, alongside the Astra Spacecraft Engine — a flight-proven electric propulsion system sold to satellite manufacturers for on-orbit maneuvering and station-keeping. The company sells launch services and propulsion hardware directly to government agencies (DoD, Space Force, NASA) and commercial constellation operators worldwide.

Product overview

Astra provides space launch services and satellite propulsion systems. The core product portfolio consists of Rocket 4.0, a next-generation orbital launch vehicle with 1 tonne payload capacity designed for weekly responsive launches, and the Astra Spacecraft Engine, a flight-proven electric propulsion system for satellite constellations. Launch System 2 offers dedicated low-cost orbital launch services optimized for small satellite deployment with 600 kg capacity. The company also offers mobile spaceport infrastructure for tactically responsive operations. Products serve commercial satellite operators, government agencies including NASA and Department of Defense, and constellation operators requiring frequent, reliable access to orbit.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Astra Spacecraft Engine™: Industry-leading, flight-proven electric propulsion systems for satellite constellations, available as fully assembled units or individual components in the Astra Propulsion Kit.
• Rocket 4.0
• Launch System 2
• Astra Propulsion Kit

Products and services

• Rocket 4.0 Next-generation orbital launch vehicle with 1 tonne target payload capacity to mid-inclination LEO, weekly target launch cadence, and 29°-110° orbital inclinations, designed for mobile and responsive launch operations.
• Launch System 2 Dedicated low-cost orbital launch service optimized for reliability and frequency, offering 600 kg target payload capacity, weekly launch cadence, and best-in-class launch economics for small satellite constellations.
• Astra Spacecraft Engine Industry-leading flight-proven electric propulsion system for satellite constellations supporting xenon and krypton propellants, ~25 mN thrust (Xe), ~1,400 s specific impulse (Xe), 300 kN-s total impulse, with instant-start heaterless cathode and radiation-hardened power processing unit.
• Multi-Thruster Astra Spacecraft Engine Configurations Scalable propulsion configurations offering 2-string, 3-string, and 4-string thruster setups providing 800W-1,600W input power and 50-100 mN thrust for faster, more agile on-orbit spacecraft maneuvering.
• Astra Propulsion Kit Individual components of the Astra Spacecraft Engine available for separate purchase, enabling customers to build customized propulsion configurations.
• Mobile Spaceport Containerized, deployable launch infrastructure enabling rapid setup at austere locations and tactically responsive launch operations without permanent ground infrastructure.
• Tactically Responsive Launch System Mobile launch system for rapid deployment and national security applications, supporting launches from US, Australia, and other international locations as part of the Department of Defense partnership.

Quantifiable outcome

• 700% revenue growth in 2025 to $45M GAAP revenue
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 October 2024Defense Innovation Unit awarded Astra a contract with ceiling up to $44 million to advance and scale production capabilities of Astra's tactically responsive launch system, achieving prototype objective of launching Rocket 4 to orbit or sub-orbit from US, Australia, or other locations. Contract supports automated laser welding capabilities in Rocket 4 production, advanced ground infrastructure concepts, and industrialization of Astra's production facilities.
• ApexcoreTechnology or Integration · 27 April 2023Apex baselined Astra Spacecraft Engines on Apex Satellite Buses. Strategic propulsion system supplier relationship for constellation satellite platforms.
• AstroscalecoreTechnology or Integration · 13 October 2022Astra propulsion systems integrated into Astroscale's space sustainability spacecraft platform for orbital debris removal and space situational awareness missions.
• Maxar TechnologiescoreTechnology or Integration · 11 October 2022Astra propulsion systems specified for Maxar's PLEO spacecraft platforms. Propulsion subsystem engineering supporting low-Earth orbit satellite product lines.
• Airbus OneWeb SatellitescoreTechnology or Integration · 29 August 2022Electric propulsion system contracts with Airbus OneWeb Satellites for broadband constellation satellite platforms.
• SaxaVord UK SpaceportminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 May 2022Partnership to expand launch capacity with SaxaVord UK Spaceport located in Unst, Shetland Islands. Planned for 2023+ operations with 75-96 degree orbital inclinations. Accelerates Astra's launch cadence and global spaceport network expansion.
• LeoStellacoreTechnology or Integration · 12 April 2022Electric propulsion system contracts with LeoStella for smallsat constellation platforms.
• SpaceflightcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 March 2022Spaceflight contracted Astra for commercial launches including Spaceflight-1 mission (March 2022) delivering 22 satellites to orbit from Kodiak. Spaceflight serves as launch services aggregator and satellite deployment partner.
• NASAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 January 2022NASA awarded Astra the Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) Launch Services IDIQ contract with up to $300 million ceiling over 5-year ordering period. Astra also contracted for specific missions including ELaNa 41 (VCLS Demo 2) and TROPICS constellation delivery under NASA's Launch Services Program.
• United States Space ForcecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 August 2021Space Force contracted Astra through Defense Innovation Unit's Other Transaction Agreement for Space Test Program missions. Astra completed multiple launches for STP-27AD1, STP-27AD2, and subsequent missions. Space Force OSP-4IDIQ contract enables rapid acquisition of launch services for payloads over 400 pounds.
• Planet LabscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2021Multi-launch contract with Planet Labs, the leading provider of global daily satellite imagery and geospatial solutions. Planet requires frequent, affordable, reliable launches for their large satellite constellation.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• SpaceX: Dominant launch incumbent with Falcon 9 rideshare defining smallsat pricing dynamics. Sets the benchmark for launch cadence, cost per kg, and responsive access that Astra benchmarks against.
• Northrop Grumman: Incumbent aerospace prime supplying propulsion, spacecraft buses, and launch vehicles (Pegasus XL, Minotaur family). Competes with Astra across propulsion systems and government launch services.
• Blue Origin: Operates New Glenn and broader space services. Competes in the medium-to-heavy lift segment and is also pursuing DoD and NASA contracts adjacent to Astra's target markets.
• L3Harris Technologies (Aerojet Rocketdyne): Owns Aerojet Rocketdyne, the dominant U.S. supplier of in-space and launch propulsion. Direct competitor to Astra's Spacecraft Engine and engine-component business across defense and civil space.

Emerging players

• Stoke Space: Developing a fully reusable Nova rocket and competing in the small-to-medium launch category. Comparable technological ambition (rapid iteration, reusability) and DoD-backed funding model.
• Impulse Space: Focused on in-space transportation and orbital maneuvering—directly comparable to Astra's Spacecraft Engine business, serving similar LEO constellation customers with electric/hall-effect propulsion.
• ABL Space Systems: Developed the RS1 small launch vehicle for responsive launch. Direct smallsat launch competitor, although currently undergoing strategic restructuring after launch setbacks.
• Relativity Space: Develops the Terran medium-to-heavy reusable launch vehicle using 3D-printed structures. Competes in the same modern, cost-efficient launch-services narrative and overlaps with Astra's responsive/affordable orbit-access positioning.

Direct peers

• Rocket Lab: Closest comparable to Astra: operates small-to-medium dedicated launch (Electron, Neutron) and has built a vertically integrated space systems business including propulsion (acquired SolAero, Sinclair Interplanetary). Competes with Astra directly for smallsat launch and bus-level spacecraft customers.
• Firefly Aerospace: Operates the Alpha small launch vehicle and is developing the MLV medium launcher. Direct competitor in smallsat dedicated launch and similarly holds DoD responsive launch and NASA VADR contracts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/astra
• YouTubeyoutube.com/astraspace
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/astraspace
• Instagraminstagram.com/astraspace

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds10 records

Investors18 records

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M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Astra