Astra
Shares of Astra rocket company fell sharply in trading on Monday after the weekend launch that carried NASA satellites failed to reach orbit.
The Astra rocket LV0010 took off Sunday from Launcher 46 at Cape Canaveral, Florida, carrying two satellites to NASA’s TROPICS-1 mission. The first part of the mission went as planned, but the engine at the top of the rocket shut down early and the company was unable to deploy the satellites.
“We are checking the flight data to determine the root cause of this anomaly and will provide additional information when available,” Astra wrote in a caption.
Astra shares fell as much as 25 percent from the previous close of $ 2.02 per share. The TROPICS-1 mission represents the company’s second mission failure in three launches this year.
In a tweet, Astra CEO Chris Kemp noted that NASA must have four of the planned six TROPICS satellites in orbit to be successful, so “the next two launches must work.” TROPICS-1 was the first of three missions assigned by NASA to Astra.
“Our team understands what is at stake,” Kemp said.
The company vehicle is 43 feet high and is considered a small rocket in the launch market. Astra’s goal is to launch as many of its small rockets as it can – with the aim of hitting one rocket a day at a rate by 2025 – and further reduce the value of $ 2.5 million.
Astra was launched last year after completing the SPAC merger, raising funds for the production of its small rockets, expanding its facilities in Alameda, California, and developing the spacecraft and space port business lines.
