In May 2025, ASTRA conducted its first solid-motor rocket launch near Karlshöfen, Germany-- approximately one hour from Bremen. Ascendance reached slightly above 1 km and marked ASTRA's first domestically conducted launch, aswell as first solid motor launch and lightest rocket ever built.

Ascendance's goal was to test key aspects of what might later make it into Transcendence: we tested whether our new Avionics stack triggers accurately and whether our telemetry works or not. We also wanted to ensure that the nosecone deploys after we redesigned the separation systems, as well as that the parachutes are deployed properly. And of course, we also wanted to figure out whether our detachable rail attachments are working.

Thank you to NextGen Space Education for providing us with their launch services next to Bremen! Find out more about launch service: https://nextgenspaceeducation.de/launch