Small launch

CubeCab submitted a Phase II application under the Department of Energy's STTR program. This follows earlier public comments about waiting for the Phase II NOFO and working on the proposal through summer and early fall 2026. The effort appears tied to the company's nuclear thermal launch vehicle research.

CubeCab submitted a Phase II application under the Department of Energy's STTR program. This follows earlier public comments about waiting for the Phase II NOFO and working on the proposal through summer and early fall 2026. The effort appears tied to the company's nuclear thermal launch vehicle research.

Astra Space shifted its Rocket 4.0 debut timeline to early 2027 (Q1), after earlier indications of a 2026 test flight. The expendable vehicle is designed for mobile, containerized launch with a target payload capacity approaching 1 tonne to LEO and a projected launch price around $5 million. CEO Chris Kemp highlighted a simple, low-cost 'soda can' architecture drawing on a legacy engine design to enable high production rates of hundreds of rockets per year.

Astra Space shifted its Rocket 4.0 debut timeline to early 2027 (Q1), after earlier indications of a 2026 test flight. The expendable vehicle is designed for mobile, containerized launch with a target payload capacity approaching 1 tonne to LEO and a projected launch price around $5 million. CEO Chris Kemp highlighted a simple, low-cost 'soda can' architecture drawing on a legacy engine design to enable high production rates of hundreds of rockets per year.

Astra Space, now private after a 2024 take-private at $11.25 million valuation following Rocket 3 failures, is raising $250 million at a $1 billion valuation to fund Rocket 4 development and scale its satellite propulsion business. Rocket 4 is an expendable larger vehicle targeting operational launches from 2027 with a projected $5 million price point. The company has grown its thruster sales and previously raised $80 million post-privatization for settlements and refinancing.

Astra Space, now private after a 2024 take-private at $11.25 million valuation following Rocket 3 failures, is raising $250 million at a $1 billion valuation to fund Rocket 4 development and scale its satellite propulsion business. Rocket 4 is an expendable larger vehicle targeting operational launches from 2027 with a projected $5 million price point. The company has grown its thruster sales and previously raised $80 million post-privatization for settlements and refinancing.

Astra achieved a major production milestone by shipping 110 satellite engine systems in 2025 while forecasting $45M revenue (700% growth YoY), breakeven EBITDA, and 100% on-orbit reliability. Parallel Rocket 4 progress included two dozen+ first-stage engine test campaigns, design maturity of ~75% first stage and 90%+ upper stage, and initial mobile spaceport design. The propulsion business is funding and de-risking the return-to-flight effort.

Astra achieved a major production milestone by shipping 110 satellite engine systems in 2025 while forecasting $45M revenue (700% growth YoY), breakeven EBITDA, and 100% on-orbit reliability. Parallel Rocket 4 progress included two dozen+ first-stage engine test campaigns, design maturity of ~75% first stage and 90%+ upper stage, and initial mobile spaceport design. The propulsion business is funding and de-risking the return-to-flight effort.