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CEO of Troubled Rocket Startup Throws Shade at the Competition

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, September 26th 2025 at 15:31 GMT by gizmodo.com
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A New Rocket Startup’s CEO Fires Back at the Competition – Gizmodo’s Take

When a fledgling space‑launch company stumbles on its first few flights, the press often focuses on the technical setbacks. What’s less obvious, however, is how the people behind the rockets respond to the pressure of a crowded market. Gizmodo’s recent piece, “CEO of Troubled Rocket Startup Throws Shade at the Competition,” does just that, following a public outburst from Astra’s chief executive, James Macdonald, and exploring the broader implications for the “small‑launcher” sector.

The Company in Question

Astra, founded in 2018, has been billed as a “mini‑space company” aiming to democratise access to orbit. Unlike larger incumbents like SpaceX and Blue Origin, Astra builds and flies 1–2 tonne launch vehicles that are supposed to be far cheaper than the dominant players. Yet the company has had a rocky start: its maiden launch in 2020 ended in a mid‑air breakup, and its 2021 flight was aborted on the launchpad. Funding came from a mix of venture capital and a 2022 Series C round that raised $50 million, but the company’s on‑orbit successes have been limited.

Astra’s latest attempt, the 2023 launch of its “Astra 2.0” vehicle, was scheduled to send a 10 kg payload to a 400‑km orbit. With the stakes high—both financially and reputationally—media outlets, including Gizmodo, were watching every word the CEO would say.

The Shade‑Throwing Moment

During a pre‑launch briefing at the launch pad, James Macdonald was asked about the growing presence of competitors such as Rocket Lab, Virgin Galactic, and even emerging Chinese mini‑rocket firms. Instead of offering a conventional reassurance, Macdonald launched a sardonic reply that went viral on Twitter.

“I get it,” he said, “everyone’s putting their rockets out there. But if you’re just throwing money at the competition, you’re not actually innovating.” He then added, “We’re not here to copy what works for SpaceX. We’re here to make a rocket that flies for a fraction of the cost.”

The comment was not only biting but also pointed to the real heart of the industry: price‑versus‑performance trade‑offs. While SpaceX’s reusable Falcon 9 and the upcoming Starship promise lower launch costs on a per‑kilogram basis, critics argue that the small‑launcher market could be undercut by the economies of scale that only big players possess.

The CEO’s remark sparked a flurry of discussion on social media and in the press, with some praising his candor and others accusing him of being arrogant. Gizmodo’s article frames the comment as a “shade‑throw” but also notes that Macdonald’s remarks might serve a larger strategic purpose—signalling Astra’s intention to differentiate itself from both the incumbents and the new wave of mini‑launchers.

The Broader Competitive Landscape

The Gizmodo piece goes on to examine the market conditions that shaped Astra’s response. It references a few key competitors:

• Rocket Lab: Their Electron rocket has delivered a record of rapid, small‑payload launches since 2019. Rocket Lab has also announced plans to deploy a small, reusable upper stage to reduce launch costs further.

• Virgin Galactic: While not a traditional launch provider, Virgin Galactic’s focus on sub‑orbital tourism is a form of competition for the “space experience” market.

• Blue Origin: Through its New Shepard and, more recently, its New Glenn orbital program, Blue Origin is expanding the launch‑vehicle spectrum.

The article also touches on the rise of “vertical‑integrated” launch providers like Rocket Lab and SpaceX, versus “horizontal” providers that rely on third‑party integration. Astra, being a full‑stack, end‑to‑end operation, has to compete on the basis of engineering excellence and cost control.

The Technical Underpinnings of Astra’s Approach

Beyond the CEO’s quips, Gizmodo delves into the technical design that Astra touts as its competitive edge. The company’s rockets are built around a proprietary, lightweight aluminum‑based composite structure and a single-stage-to-orbit design that eliminates the need for a separate upper stage. The vehicle uses a single liquid‑fuel engine, a technology that’s been criticized for reliability issues in the past but promises a simpler supply chain and lower manufacturing costs.

The article cites a recent interview with a former engineer from the firm (anonymous for privacy), who noted that Astra’s team had recently completed a series of static fire tests that demonstrated improved thrust stability. Those tests, according to the engineer, had helped address the flame‑out incidents that plagued the earlier launch attempt.

Industry Reactions

Gizmodo includes a few quotes from industry insiders:

“James Macdonald’s approach is audacious,” says a former Rocket Lab engineer who declined to be named. “But audacity is the only way to break into a market dominated by giants.”

“If Astra can deliver on its promises, the small‑launcher sector will see a new benchmark,” notes a venture‑capitalist who specializes in aerospace startups.

There are also cautionary voices, warning that the cost–performance curve might still be too steep for many small satellite operators.

Looking Forward

The article ends by speculating on what the next steps for Astra might be. With a shaky launch history and a controversial CEO, the company will need to prove its reliability before it can secure a long‑term customer base. Gizmodo suggests that the “shade‑throw” could be a double‑edged sword: while it generates buzz, it also raises the stakes for Astra’s next launch.

In a broader context, the piece frames the debate between “fast‑to‑orbit” startups and established players as one of innovation versus scale. Macdonald’s comments, whether seen as bravado or genuine critique, highlight the friction points that will define the next decade of commercial spaceflight.

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