At Astra, failure is an option

• 

  Astra performs a test on its rocket outside its headquarters in Alameda, Calif. [credit: Astra ]

ALAMEDA, Calif.-Toward the end of an interview on Tuesday morning, Adam London finally came out and admitted it. "Honestly, we're building a pretty boring rocket."

This is by design, of course. His company Astra, which just emerged from stealth mode this week, does not want to build the sleekest or most modern of rockets. Rather, says London (the company's co-founder and chief technology officer), Astra seeks to deliver the most bang for the buck to customers. To that end, Astra has developed a no-frills launch system. Even the company's name for its newest rocket, "Rocket 3.0," lacks pizzazz.

"This is not about making the best, most sexy rocket," London said in a small conference room at the company's headquarters in Alameda, California. "We want to make the simplest, most manufacturable rocket."

Read 34 remaining paragraphs | Comments