Phoenix (previously known as KARMA 2.0) is ASTRAs latest hybrid rocket and the first to successfully launch, back in November 2024. Designed for 9 km of altitude, it tested key subsystems and delivered critical data for Project Kármán.

Originally designed to partake in the European Rocketry Challenge (EuRoC) in Portugal, Phoenix took quite a different journey as ASTRA wasn't able to attend EuRoC in 2024. As testing our systems through Phoenix was a crucial part in our plans for Project Kármán we flew the project & crew out to California, into the Mojave desert where we finally got the chance to launch. Not without hassle though...

While we were unable to have neither our fins or ground systems delivered on time due to unforeseen shipping issues, the Team managed to pull through constructing ad-hoc solutions for our missing systems, ultimately enabling us to still go through with the launch.

Flight of Phoenix - ASTRA's first launch