Tech

Astra explains previous failure, sets October date for next launch attempt

Enlarge / Photo of Astra’s second orbital launch attempt, in December 2020. (credit: Astra/John Kraus) Astra, a small-rocket company based in California still striving to reach orbit, has set of target date of October 27 for its next launch attempt. The rocket, simply named “LV0007,” will carry a test payload weighing a few dozen kilograms […]

Tech

ABL Space has never launched a rocket, but it just landed a huge contract

Enlarge / ABL’s mobile launch system can be deployed at multiple locations. (credit: ABL Space Systems) A California company that has yet to even attempt a rocket launch has nonetheless inked a major deal with Lockheed Martin for dozens of missions over the next decade. Under terms of the block-buy agreement between ABL Space Systems […]