Astra Space Inc. Company History 2016 to the Present

The roller coaster ride from over $2 billion valuation to less than $200 million…

Last updated December 23, 2022

October 2016

Astra Space Inc.

Astra was founded by Chris Kemp and Adam London.

July 2018

Rocket 1.0 Launch Fails

November 2018

Rocket 2.0 Launch Fails

August 2019

SpaceX Rideshare Program Disrupts Small Launcher Market

$1 million for 200 kg payload to LEO versus Astra’s $2.5 million for 100 kg

February 2020

At Astra, failure is an option

“We’re actually not shooting for 100% reliability.”

March 2020

Rocket 3.0 Launch Fails

September 2020

Rocket 3.1 Launch Fails

December 2020

NASA VCLS Demo 2

Astra is 1 of 3 companies selected by NASA to bid on NASA VCLS Demo 2 contracts.

December 2020

Rocket 3.2 Launch Fails

February 2021

NASA TROPICS Contract

$7.5 million contract for 3 launches

February 2021

Announces Plans to go Public

Astra will go public through a reverse merger with SPAC company Holicity, valuing the company at $2.1 billion.

April 2021

Astra Investor Day

Cash flow positive by 2024 without requiring any additional capital.

May 2021

Multi Launch Contract With Planet Lab

No details were shared relative to number of launches or value of the contract.

July 2021

ASTR is Listed on Nasdaq

Astra is the first space launch and rocket company listed on Nasdaq.

August 2021

Rocket 3.3 Launch Fails

August 2021

Launch Contract With Spire

No details were shared relative to number of launches or value of the contract.

August 2021

Orbital Services Program Contract With Space Force

No details were shared relative to number of launches or value of the contract.

November 2021

Why Astra stock is heading to the moon today

Investors cheer a smaller-than-expected loss and plans for a successful launch.

November 2021

Rocket 3.3 Successful Launch

December 2021

Kerrisdale Capital Report on Astra Space Inc. Published

Kerrisdale Capital Management published a report “Astra Space Inc. : Headed For Dis-Astra” during market hours on December 29, 2021. The report alleged a multitude of issues. On news of the report, Astra stock price dropped approximately 14% on December 29, 2021.

January 2022

NASA VADR Program

Astra is 1 of 13 companies selected by NASA to bid on venture class payload opportunities.

February 2022

Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Astra

The Rosen Law Firm filed a Class Action Complaint For Violation Of The Federal Securities Laws against Astra on February 9, 2022.

February 2022

Rocket 3.3 Launch Failure

March 2022

FY 2021 Investor Update

Astra’s backlog increased to $160 million in 2021.

March 2022

Rocket 3.3 Successful Launch

March 2022

Multi Launch Contract With Spaceflight Inc.

No details were shared relative to number of launches or value of the contract.

April 2022

Spacecraft Engine Contract With Leostella

No details were shared relative to number of engines or value of the contract.

May 2022

Astra Spacetech Day

Rocket 4.0 introduced, first launch forecast to be 3Q 2022.

June 2022

Rocket 3.3 Launch Failure

June 2022

The next 6 months may determine if Astra has a future or is relegated to the dustbin of history…

Astra is learning that space is hard. The company currently faces significant challenges to achieving profitability, including: technology, financial, business model, and legal. The next six months are critical for the company…

July 2022

Astra SWOT

Astra has more weaknesses and threats than strengths and opportunities.

August 2022

Commercial Launch Operations are Stopped

Astra cancels all future Rocket 3 launches. Astra is abandoning Rocket 3 and is focusing on Rocket 4 development.

August 2022

Why Astra Space Stock fell to Earth this week

Investors looking for good news are likely in for a long wait.

August 2022

Can Astra really compete with Rocket Lab?

In 2024, Astra hopes to have a rocket twice as big as Rocket Lab’s Electron – but only 1/20 the size of Rocket Lab’s new Neutron.

August 2022

ASTR Stock Drops Below $1 per Share

Astra is at risk of being delisted from Nasdaq.

August 2022

Spacecraft Engine Contract With Airbus OneWeb

No details were shared relative to volume or value of the contract.

September 2022

NASA Maintains Launch Contract With Astra

Terms changed to allow NASA to launch other, to be determined, payloads comparable to TROPICS.

October
2022

Rocket builder Astra Space receives delisting notice from NASDAQ

Astra has 180 days to raise their stock price above $1 or the company will be delisted from the NASDAQ stock exchange.

October
2022

Astra announces they are replacing their CFO in November

No details were shared on the reason for the change.

October
2022

Astra Announces Contract for Spacecraft Engines with Maxar

No details were shared relative to volume or value of the contract.

October
2022

Astra Announces Contract for Spacecraft Engines with Astroscale

No details were shared relative to volume or value of the contract.

October
2022

Astra announces they have over 200 firm orders (cumulative) for Astra Spacecraft Engines

No details were shared regarding sale price or delivery timeframe. Also, the orders are cumulative, i.e. total todate..

Assuming $250,000 ASP, this represents approximately $50 million in orders.

November
2022

3Q2022 Investor Update

Losing $45 million per quarter with only $150 million remaining at the end of 3Q – without additional cash Astra will run out of money by September 2023. 16% workforce reduction announced.

December
2022

Astra’s Chief Engineer Resigns

Astra’s Chief Engineer and Executive Vice President of Engineering and Operations resigned to pursue “other opportunities”.

December
2022

Rocket Lab Steps in to Fix Astra’s Mistakes

NASA awards remaining launches for TROPICS mission to Rocket Lab. Launches planned for 2023.

December
20, 2022

Astra’s stock price reaches all time low of $0.405 with a market capitalization of $109 million

April 4, 2023

Astra’s stock must have been at least $1 for at least 10 consecutive business days prior to April 4, 2023 in order to avoid being delisted on that date.

2023E

Rocket 4.0 First Launch

Astra has not provided specific timelines.

New Business Plan

Astra’s original business plan was based upon building inexpensive rockets, offering inexpensive launch to LEO, and daily launches. Astra has not provided any details on their new business plan and the path to profitability.

Commercial Launch Operations Resume

Astra has not provided specific timelines.

Cash Flow Positive

Astra has not provided timelines.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email