Astra Inc., based in Almeda, Calif., is one of many space companies jostling for business in the small payload market. The company built four rockets last year but has yet to have a successful launch. It is counting on a $500-million financing derived through a planned merger with Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) Holicity Inc. As CNBC points out, Astra is competing with numerous small rocket launchers including BlackSky Holdings Inc., AST & Science LLC, Momentus Inc., and Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc.
