Space Stocks Reach Milestone As Astra Space Debuts; ASTR Stock Falls - Investor's Business Daily

Small satellites launch provider Astra Space (ASTR) started trading Thursday amid a wave of space stocks that have turned to blank check companies to go public.

X

Astra is the first space launch company to trade on the Nasdaq, according to the company.

Rival Virgin Orbit, the sister company of Virgin Galactic (SPCE), is reportedly in talks to go public through the SPAC NextGen Acquisition II (NGCA). The company launched its first commercial satellites into space on Wednesday.

Small satellites are becoming popular for expanding internet access across the globe. Astra can launch satellites weighing 100 pounds but plans to increase that load number. The company plans to start commercial launch service for customers this summer and then move to daily launches by 2025.

Astra launched a rocket from its Alaska site in December, but it failed to reach its target orbit. The company expects the rocket to fly again this summer after some fixes are implemented. Astra plans to have monthly launches in the back half of 2021.

---

IBD Live: A New Tool For Daily Stock Market Analysis

---

Space Stocks Head To Market Through SPACs

ASTR stock was down 4% at 11.86 on the stock market today. Among other space stocks, Virgin Galactic fell 1.7% Thursday.

Astra Space is going public via Holicity in a deal that valued it at $2.1 billion. The company is among a growing group of space companies going public via SPAC.

Special purpose acquisition companies, also known as "blank check companies," offer a way for private companies to go public without a traditional IPO.

Momentus is going public via Stable Road Capital (SRAC), and Vector Acquisition (VACQ) will take Rocket Lab public in a deal that values the space company at $4.1 billion. Redwire Space is merging with Genesis Park (GNPK) to go public.

Follow Gillian Rich on Twitter for space news and more.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

Space Industry News And Top Space Companies

You Can't Buy SpaceX Yet But These Space Stocks Are Up For Grabs

Catch The Next Big Winning Stock With MarketSmith

Adblock test (Why?)

Article From & Read More ( Space Stocks Reach Milestone As Astra Space Debuts; ASTR Stock Falls - Investor's Business Daily )
https://ift.tt/3hsZw34
Business