Astra to launch first satellite from Cape Canaveral next year

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Astra announced Monday that it plans to deploy its first satellite in orbit for NASA in January.

The launch will be Astra’s first from Cape Canaveral.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

“This historic launch site has been prepared for a new commercial launch partner in less than year, which is a tremendous milestone for our combined team, and illustrates how SLD 45 sets the pace for access to space.” said Brigadier General Stephen Purdy, commander of Space Launch Delta 45 and director of the Eastern Range. “SLD 45, Space Florida, and Astra have moved at a rapid speed to demonstrate critical and responsive launch capabilities. We are excited to welcome Astra to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.”

READ: NASA astronaut candidate class includes DeBary Marine

Astra and Space Launch Delta 45, a part of the United States Space Force, allowed Astra to launch out of Cape Canaveral in record time, shortening the multi-year approval time to months, officials said.

“Launching out of the Cape allows us to serve customers with mid-inclination delivery needs, broadening our market,” said Martin Attiq, chief business officer at Astra. “This is an additional step in our global spaceport strategy and positions us to serve the broad low earth orbit (LEO) market.”

WATCH: SpaceX successfully launches batch of Starlink satellites aboard Falcon 9 rocket

ULA Atlast V AHEF-4 Oct 17 2018 ULA Atlast V AHEF-4 Oct 17 2018 Picture Jon Galed (Jon Galed/Jon Galed)

SpaceX Crew Dragon Demo 1 Unmanned Jan 17 2019 SpaceX Crew Dragon Demo 1 Unmanned Jan 17 2019. Picture taken by Jon Galed (Jon Galed/Jon Galed)

ULA Atlas V Staliner OFT Dec 20, 2019 ULA Atlas V Starliner OFT Dec 20, 2019 Picture Jon Galed (Jon Galed/Jon Galed)

SpaceX Falcon 9 Starlink 2 Jan 7 2020 SpaceX Falcon 9 Starlink 2 Jan 7 2020 Picture Jon Galed (Jon Galed/Jon Galed)

ULA Atlas V Solar Orbiter Feb 10 2020 ULA Atlas V Solar Orbiter Feb 10 2020 Picture Jon Galed (Jon Galed/Jon Galed)

SpaceX Falcon 9 JCSAT18 Dec 16 2019 SpaceX Falcon 9 JCSAT18 Dec 16 2019 Picture Jon Galed (Jon Galed/Jon Galed)

SpaceX Falcon 9 Starlink May 23 2019 Streak FINAL-1 SpaceX Falcon 9 Starlink May 23 2019 Streak FINAL-1 Picture Jon Galed (Jon Galed/Jon Galed)

SpaceX CRS17 streak May 4 2019 SpaceX crs17 streak May 4 2019 Picture Jon Galed (Jon Galed/Jon Galed)

ULA Delta IV Heavy Parker Solar Probe Aug 12 2018 ULA Delta IV Heavy Parker Solar Probe Aug 12 2018. Picture Jon Galed (Jon Galed/Jon Galed)

SpaceX Falcon 9 AMOS 17 Aug. 6 2019. SpaceX Falcon 9 AMOS 17 Aug. 6 2019. Picture taken by Jon Galed (Jon Galed/Jon Galed)

SpaceX CRS 19 Launch Dec 4 2019 SpaceX CRS 19 Launch Dec 4 2019. Picture by Jon Galed (Jon Galed/Jon Galed)

SpaceX Crew Dragon Demo 1 Unmanned Jan 17 2019 SpaceX Crew Dragon Demo 1 Unmanned Jan 17 2019. Picture taken by Jon Galed (Jon Galed/Jon Galed)

SpaceX Falcon Heavy ArabSat6A April 11 2019 SpaceX Falcon Heavy ArabSat6A April 11 2019. Picture taken by Jon Galed (Jon Galed/Jon Galed)

SpaceX CRS 20 Launch SpaceX CRS 20 launch on March 7, 2020 from Cape Canaveral Florida. Photo taken by WFTV's photog Jon Galed (jon galed/Jon Galed)

ULA Launch USSF-7 launched from Cape Canaveral on May 17, 2020, at 9:14 a.m. EDT. Photo by WFTV's photog Jon Galed (jon galed)

READ: Artemis Moon mission delayed to 2025, NASA administrator says

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.