Astra Space, a private company that was taken over by its founders earlier this year, has secured a contract with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to develop a next-generation launch system for time-sensitive space missions. The contract, worth up to $44 million, will support the development of Astra's Launch System 2, designed for rapid and low-cost launches. This funding marks a significant milestone for Astra, which had struggled to materialize its ambitious plans for mass-producing small rockets.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/24/embattled-astra-scores-dod-contract-to-develop-point-to-point-cargo-delivery-from-space/