Blog: LV0009 Operational Progress
LV0009 Launch Recap: Demonstrating Operational Progress
By Bryson Gentile, Vice President of Operations
On March 15, 2022, Astra successfully delivered 22 satellites to a circular sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) out of the Astra Spaceport in Kodiak, Alaska. In addition to delivering our first customer satellites to orbit, this mission demonstrated operational progress toward our goal of a daily launch capability that we believe will dramatically improve access to space.
Though rocket science comes with many unknowns and risks, see our disclosures on file with the SEC, the operational measures we track as we make progress toward that goal include:
We are proud of our team for the progress that has been made and we continue to focus on delivering access to space at scale. While we have demonstrated a shorter return to the pad with LV0009, we may increase time between launches to prepare for our new launch system or due to other conditions outside our control, including availability of launch dates at our spaceports.
Be sure to check out our gallery from Spaceflight's Astra-1 mission here.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements made in this press release are “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “estimate”, “plan”, “outlook”, and “project” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements reflect the current analysis of existing information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including Astra’s failure to meet the projected launch targets. As a result, caution must be exercised in relying on forward-looking statements. Due to known and unknown risks, actual results may differ materially from Astra’s expectations or projections including the following factors, among others: projected development and launch targets, including as a result of the decisions of governmental authorities or other third parties not within our control, weather and other suboptimal conditions that may make it difficult to perform a launch attempt; (ii) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (iii) the ability of Astra to meet its financial and strategic goals, due to, among other things, competition; (iv) the ability of Astra to pursue a growth strategy and manage growth profitability; (v) the possibility that Astra may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (vi) the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on Astra, (vii) the ability to manage its cash outflows during its pre-revenue business operations and (vii) other risks and uncertainties discussed from time to time in other reports and other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Astra.