Astra Spacecraft Engines: Maximizing Performance at Maximum Dynamic Pressure (Max Q)
Max Q
Hello and welcome back to Max Q!
We hope everyone had a wonderful July 4th. In this issue:
- Astra’s corporate reorganization
- News from Pulsar Fusion
- And more…
Astra Establishes Subsidiary for Spacecraft Engine Business
In a move that’s sure to have significant implications for the space industry, Astra is carving out its spacecraft engine business as a wholly owned subsidiary. According to documents viewed by TechCrunch and a person familiar with the matter, this corporate restructuring will provide greater flexibility in hiring and financing.
We find this story interesting for two reasons. The first, and less important (at least to us), is that the subsidiary will be regulated under different export rules. This means that Astra will be able to hire people from outside the U.S. much more easily than they could under a single launch + spacecraft engine entity.
The second, and more notable, reason is that establishing the subsidiary unlocks all sorts of financial options. With an anticipated cash burn of around $30-33 million per quarter, it’s no secret that Astra has been struggling to secure funding for its launch business. This move opens up greater flexibility in all sorts of different dimensions.
Astra CEO Chris Kemp
Image Credits: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg
Benchmark Space Systems Raises $33.2 Million in New Funding
In other news, Benchmark Space Systems, a Vermont-based developer of in-space propulsion products, has raised $33.2 million in new funding as it looks to ramp up production.
This is just the latest example of the growing trend of companies seeking out innovative solutions for space travel and exploration. With private investment pouring into the industry, we can expect to see even more exciting developments in the coming months and years.
Blue Origin Eyes International Expansion
Meanwhile, Blue Origin is eyeing international expansion with the company exploring a launch site outside of the United States. This move would mark a significant shift for the company, which has so far focused on domestic launches.
With the global space industry growing at an incredible pace, it’s no surprise that companies like Blue Origin are looking to expand their reach and offerings. We’ll be keeping a close eye on this development as it unfolds.
India Prepares to Launch Chandrayaan-3 Moon Lander Mission
In India, the country’s space agency has announced plans to launch its latest moon lander mission, Chandrayaan-3, on July 14th. This follows the crash of the previous iteration in 2019.
The success or failure of this mission will have significant implications for the Indian space program and the broader global space industry. We’ll be following this story closely as it develops.
Pulsar Fusion Seeks to Make Interstellar Travel a Reality
Finally, Pulsar Fusion is making waves with its ambitious plans to make interstellar travel a reality using nuclear fusion-powered propulsion systems. While still in the early stages of development, this technology has the potential to revolutionize space travel and exploration as we know it.
With private companies like SpaceX already pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space travel, it’s exciting to think about what the future might hold for humanity’s presence in the cosmos.
Max Q is Brought to You by Aria Alamalhodaei
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Topics
- Space
- Astra
- Pulsar Fusion
Aria Alamalhodaei Covers the Space and Defense Industries at TechCrunch
Aria Alamalhodaei is a reporter covering the space and defense industries at TechCrunch. Previously, she covered public utilities and the power grid for California Energy Markets. You can also find her work at MIT’s Undark Magazine, The Verge, and Discover Magazine. Aria received an MA in art history from the Courtauld Institute of Art in London.
She is based in Austin, Texas.
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