Astra Space, Inc. (“Astra”) (Nasdaq: ASTR) has announced a launch window that starts on August 27, 2021, for the company’s first commercial orbital launch with the United States Space Force. Following this launch, Astra is under contract to perform a second launch later this year.
The STP-27AD1 mission will be conducted from Astra’s Kodiak Spaceport, located at the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Kodiak, Alaska. The launch window will begin at 1:00 p.m., PT, on Friday, August 27, 2021, and will be open through Saturday, September 11, 2021.
The U.S. Space Force contracted the launch through the Defense Innovation Unit’s Other Transaction Agreement with Astra. Space Force will be launching a test payload for the Space Test Program (STP-27AD1).
“We are thrilled to partner with Astra on this mission and believe this showcases critical low-cost, mobile and responsive launch capability,” said Colonel Carlos Quinones, Director, Department of Defense Space Test Program.
“We’re excited to kick off a multi-launch campaign with the Space Force” said Chris Kemp, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Astra. “This orbital demonstration launch allows our team to verify numerous upgrades to our launch system.”