Astra Rocket News Today

SpaceX rival Rocket Lab is ready for its latest Electron mission, targeting a launch window opening on Thursday, three months after a previous launch failure.

SpaceX continues to dominate headlines with its groundbreaking launch vehicles, but a new generation of U.S. rocket companies is quietly reaching for the stars.

The commercial launch provider has reduced about 25% of its workforce since the start of the current quarter, including 70 job cuts on Aug. 4.

Firefly Aerospace delyas its target date for the launch of a batch of NASA CubeSats to August but noted that it was wrapping up final preparations for Victus Nox.

A Rocket Lab Electron rocket launched a second pair of NASA storm-tracking cubesats late May 25, six years and three dozen flights after its first launch.

A Rocket Lab Electron launched a pair of NASA cubesats May 7 designed to monitor the development of tropical storms.

Astra wins $11.5 million contract to launch military experimental payloads

During tests of the upper stage engine, streaks of molten metal could be seen pouring out from the nozzle—a telltale sign of a cooling issue.

Launches from the U.S. jumped to 78 for the year, driven by SpaceX, which successfully flew its Falcon rocket fleet 61 times.

When NASA absolutely, positively must get its small satellites into orbit -- it calls Rocket Lab.