Astra’s Rocket 4 Targets Pentagon-Backed Cargo Delivery Missions
April 22, 2025 | By Sandra Erwin
Aiming to redefine global military logistics, Astra Space is developing its Rocket 4 launch system as a fast-response vehicle for suborbital and orbital cargo delivery missions, backed by a $44 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense.
After a rocky public market run and a transition to private ownership in 2024, the California-based aerospace company is preparing for a potential comeback—targeting its first Rocket 4 test flight in 2026 and aspiring to make point-to-point delivery across the globe in under an hour a reality.
🚀 Inside the Pentagon Partnership
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) selected Astra under its Novel Responsive Space Delivery program to prototype rapid payload deployment via space-based reentry systems. The agreement includes:
- One suborbital demonstration (point-to-point)
- One orbital mission, with potential international launch sites
“This is a multi-year effort,” DIU stated, with both milestones planned between mid and late 2026.
Chris Kemp, Astra CEO, said the suborbital demonstration will focus on delivering up to 1,300 pounds of cargo, such as military drones, into conflict zones using reentry vehicles. Discussions are underway with Anduril Industries and unnamed reentry vehicle providers to support the mission.
🌐 A Global, Mobile Launch Vision
Unlike traditional systems that rely on fixed launchpads, Rocket 4 is being built as a mobile launch vehicle, capable of deploying from shipping container-like setups virtually anywhere in the world. The orbital demonstration may occur in Australia, signaling Astra’s intent to support missions beyond U.S. soil.
This mirrors the Pentagon’s broader interest in flexible, off-spaceport capabilities, especially for time-critical logistics in contested or remote regions.
⏱️ An Aggressive Development Timeline
Kemp acknowledged the compressed schedule, with Astra aiming to:
- Qualify Rocket 4’s engines and upper stage hardware in 2025
- Launch a suborbital test no earlier than Q1 2026
- Support the STP-27B military payload launch by Q3 2026
The DIU contract is milestone-based, requiring Astra to share developmental progress and risk mitigation strategies. Funding comes from a mix of private capital and revenue from Astra’s satellite propulsion division, which has grown significantly since the 2022 acquisition of Apollo Fusion.
📉 A Rocky Road to Reinvention
Founded in 2005 and rebranded as a launch vehicle developer in 2016, Astra’s history is marked by early failures and high ambition:
- Rocket 1 & 2 failed in 2018
- Rocket 3 had only two successful missions out of seven
- A critical NASA mission failure in 2022 damaged trust just as Astra sought to scale
After a $2 billion valuation and NASDAQ listing in 2021, the company’s stock crashed over 90%, leading to its delisting and return to private status in 2024.
Now, with Rocket 3 retired and Rocket 4 taking center stage, Astra is betting on dual thrusts: launch innovation and satellite propulsion.
🔄 What’s Next for Rocket 4?
If successful, Rocket 4 could unlock a new paradigm for military logistics, allowing for ultra-fast global cargo transport using space-based delivery—complementing sea, air, and land operations.
Kemp is optimistic, saying the system could “deliver drones across the planet in 45 minutes,” and envisions future collaborations with drone and defense tech companies to broaden the application of Rocket 4.
Conclusion: Astra Eyes Redemption in Orbit
The Astra Rocket 4 cargo delivery project marks a critical opportunity for the company to recover credibility and become a leader in next-gen space logistics. Backed by the Pentagon and driven by urgent defense needs, Astra’s latest mission could elevate it from its turbulent past into a new era of innovation.
