Operations & Testing

The Operations & Testing Department ensures that ASTRA's rockets and subsystems are systematically tested, prepared, and operated before and during launch activities. The team connects development with real-world operation by turning technical designs into reliable procedures, test campaigns, and launch-ready systems.

Test Planning & Execution
Operations & Testing plans and coordinates tests across the different technical departments. This includes defining test objectives, preparing procedures, organising equipment and personnel, documenting results, and ensuring that tests are carried out in a structured and reproducible way.

Launch & Mission Operations
For launch campaigns, the department helps coordinate the complete operational sequence around the vehicle. Members support checklists, timelines, team coordination, readiness reviews, and communication between the different technical teams to ensure that the rocket can be prepared and launched safely.

Procedures & Documentation
A major part of the work is developing and maintaining procedures for testing, integration, transport, and launch operations. Lessons learned from tests and launches are incorporated into future procedures so that operations become safer and more reliable over time.

What Does the Work Look Like?
Work in Operations & Testing combines technical coordination, hands-on testing, troubleshooting, documentation, test engineering, and launch operations. Members work closely with all technical departments and gain a broad understanding of how individual systems come together into a complete, operational rocket.