RTTNews | Nov 22, 2021 06:46AM EST

06:46 Monday, November 22, 2021 (RTTNews.com) - Shares of launch vehicle company Astra Space, Inc. (ASTR) are surging more than 40% in pre-market on Monday after it successfully completed the first commercial orbital launch.

On November 19, late night, Astra's rocket, LV0007, carrying a test payload for the US Space Force, was launched from the company's Kodiak Spaceport. Within nine minutes, the payload reached the target orbit at an altitude of 500 km.

"Reaching orbit is a historic milestone for Astra," said Chris Kemp, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Astra. "We can now focus on delivering for our customers and scaling up rocket production and launch cadence."

ASTR closed Friday's regular trading at $9.53, down $0.25 or 2.56%. The stock is currently at $13.35.

Read the original article on RTTNews ( https://www.rttnews.com/3244001/astra-space-climbs-40-in-pre-market-following-first-commercial-orbital-launch.aspx)

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