Enlarge / Astra revealed a prototype of its Rocket 4 launch vehicle in May. (credit: Astra) Astra is running out of money. It's been a year since Astra shelved its first orbital-class rocket after just two successful launches in seven flights. Chris Kemp, Astra's founder and CEO, last year unveiled a new rocket design he said would be more reliable and capable of carrying heavier cargo into orbit. A year later, the development of Astra's new launch vehicle—named Rocket 4—appears to have slowed to a crawl.