PrivateFounded 2005 · Webster, Texas, USAUpdated Aug 31, 2026

Ad Astra Rocket Company

Developer of spacecraft propulsion systems (VASIMR® engine) for in-space transportation

Developer of the VASIMR® advanced plasma rocket propulsion system for efficient in-space transportation, including lunar cargo and deep-space missions. Operates subsidiaries in the US and Costa Rica; provided local guidance and logistical support to LeoLabs for the Costa Rica Space Radar.

Principal supply-chain role02 · Space Hardware

Satellites, landers, rovers, payloads, components, and subsystems built for demanding environments.

Principal supply-chain role02 · Space Hardware

Suppliers, customers & partners

Suppliers & service providers to Ad Astra Rocket Company

NASA— supplierTell me more

NASA has awarded contracts and NASA/ISS National Lab opportunities that provide funding, access, and flight opportunities enabling Ad Astra's VASIMR® technology development and an intended VF‑200 demonstration on the U.S. National Laboratory portion of the ISS; NASA contract awards and ISS National Lab access materially enable Ad Astra's test and demonstration pathway.

Relationship research record

Ad Astra Rocket Company customers & supported companies

NASA— customerTell me more

Ad Astra has won multiple NASA contracts to develop the VASIMR® plasma propulsion technology and related systems, making NASA a direct customer of Ad Astra's technology development services (NASA contract awards for VASIMR R&D and technology maturation).

Relationship research record

ISS National Lab— mission user / customerTell me more

Ad Astra is developing the VF‑200 VASIMR® payload intended for demonstration onboard the U.S. National Laboratory segment of the ISS, i.e., Ad Astra supplies the VF‑200 flight payload and in‑orbit demonstration services to the ISS National Lab.

Relationship research record

Ad Astra Rocket Company program partners

The Space Nuclear Power Corporation (SpaceNukes)— strategic partner · strategic partner / acquired capability · 2 more roles5 connectionsTell me more

The Space Nuclear Power Corporation (SpaceNukes) and Ad Astra Rocket Company signed a strategic alliance / MOU in December 2024 to jointly advance high-power Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) technology combining SpaceNukes' Kilopower reactor technology with Ad Astra's VASIMR engine for Mars and beyond missions.

Relationship research record

SpaceNukes (The Space Nuclear Power Corporation) and Ad Astra formed a strategic alliance to combine SpaceNukes' ground-tested Kilopower space reactor capabilities with Ad Astra's VASIMR® electromagnetic plasma propulsion; the partnership supplies nuclear reactor power capability (Kilopower concept/advocacy) that enables high‑power VASIMR testing and future integrated nuclear‑electric propulsion demonstrations.

Relationship research record

SpaceNukes supplies reactor power capability (Kilopower family) to be integrated with Ad Astra's VASIMR electric propulsion technology, jointly developing NEP systems for high‑power in‑space propulsion and demonstrating combined reactor-plus‑thruster systems.

Relationship research record

Ad Astra and SpaceNukes signed a strategic alliance to jointly develop high‑power nuclear electric propulsion systems by pairing SpaceNukes' reactor technology (Kilopower family) with Ad Astra's VASIMR electric propulsion, targeting demonstration and commercialization of NEP.

Relationship research record

Ad Astra and SpaceNukes formed a strategic alliance in which Ad Astra supplies its VASIMR® propulsion expertise and systems to integrate with SpaceNukes' nuclear power concepts for high‑power nuclear electric propulsion demonstrations and commercialization efforts.

Relationship research record

ISS National Lab— program partner / enabling hostTell me more

The ISS National Lab provides the hosted flight environment and programmatic pathway (hosted payload opportunities) that enable Ad Astra's planned VF‑200 VASIMR® technology demonstration aboard the U.S. National Laboratory portion of the ISS; the National Lab therefore functions as an enabling host for Ad Astra's in‑orbit demonstration.

Relationship research record

LeoLabs— mission support provider · program partner2 connectionsTell me more

Ad Astra Rocket Company (via its Costa Rica subsidiary) provided local guidance and logistical support to LeoLabs for the siting, development, and inauguration of the Costa Rica Space Radar in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, which became operational in April 2021.

Relationship research record

Ad Astra Rocket Company provides local guidance and logistical support to LeoLabs for the construction and operation of the Costa Rica Space Radar.

Relationship research record

Explore Ad Astra Rocket Company in context

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Companies supplied by Ad Astra Rocket Company →1 companies · Browse profiles

LeoLabs

↔ Both directions3 companies · Browse profiles

ISS National Lab NASA The Space Nuclear Power Corporation (SpaceNukes)

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