Astra Raising Venture Capital
TechCrunch Space Newsletter
Story of the Week: Astra's Take-Private Deal
Astra, the space company, has accepted a take-private deal from co-founders Chris Kemp and Adam London, making it the first space SPAC bust of the year. The deal will see Kemp and London purchasing all remaining Astra stock for $0.50 per share, resulting in a loss of over 99% of the company's value.
Launch Highlights: SpaceX's Starship Test Flight
SpaceX is planning to conduct the third orbital test of its Starship rocket on March 14, pending approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. The test will include a propellant transfer demonstration and the first-ever relight of a Raptor engine in space.
What We're Reading: Dual-Use Startup Landscape
A report from AIN Ventures analyzes the dual-use startup landscape, focusing on companies that raised $5 million or more in 2023. The report highlights the presence of significant unallocated capital and predicts a potentially lucrative climate for venture capital investment in 2024.
Space History: Discovery of Uranus
On March 13, 1781, Sir William Herschel discovered Uranus, the seventh planet in our solar system. Herschel also discovered Uranus' two largest moons, Titania and Oberon, in subsequent years.
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