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Ad Astra Rocket Company's Overview

Total employees31
HeadquartersWebster
Founded2005

Ad Astra Rocket Company, founded in 2005 by former NASA astronaut Dr. Franklin Chang Díaz, is a leading American aerospace engineering firm dedicated to the development of advanced plasma rocket propulsion technology. The company's flagship project is the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR®), an electrothermal thruster designed for high-power, high-efficiency in-space transportation. VASIMR® technology promises to revolutionize space travel by enabling faster and more fuel-efficient missions, including cargo transport, satellite servicing, lunar logistics, and eventually, Mars transit. Ad Astra is focused on maturing the VASIMR® engine for commercial and governmental applications, contributing to the future infrastructure of space exploration and utilization.

Where is Ad Astra Rocket Company's Headquarters?

HQ Function

The headquarters serves as the primary center for research, design, engineering, manufacturing, and testing of the VASIMR® plasma propulsion systems. It houses advanced laboratories and testing facilities.

Notable Features:

State-of-the-art plasma physics laboratories, large vacuum chambers for engine testing, control rooms, and specialized manufacturing equipment for VASIMR® components.

Work Culture:

Ad Astra fosters a highly innovative, research-driven, and collaborative work environment. Employees are passionate about space exploration and cutting-edge technology, working in a focused setting characterized by scientific rigor and long-term vision.

HQ Significance:

The Webster headquarters is strategically positioned within a major aerospace hub, facilitating collaboration with NASA and other industry partners. It is the epicenter of VASIMR® engine development, a potentially transformative technology for space propulsion.

Values Reflected in HQ: The headquarters embodies Ad Astra's core values of innovation, scientific excellence, perseverance in tackling complex challenges, and a commitment to advancing humanity's reach into space.

Location:

Ad Astra Rocket Company operates primarily from its headquarters in Webster, Texas, USA, which is the core R&D and testing site for the VASIMR® space propulsion engine. Its international presence includes a significant subsidiary in Liberia, Costa Rica, dedicated to applying plasma technology for sustainable energy solutions and other terrestrial uses. The company also engages in international collaborations and partnerships within the global aerospace and scientific communities.

Street Address:

141 W. Bay Area Blvd.

City:

Webster

State/Province:

TX

Country:

USA

Ad Astra Rocket Company's Global Presence

Liberia, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Address: Ad Astra Rocket Company Costa Rica (AARC CR), S.A., Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, Liberia, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

To leverage Costa Rica's commitment to renewable energy, establish a research and development hub for plasma-based sustainable technologies, and contribute to the country's technological advancement.

Buying Intent Signals for Ad Astra Rocket Company

Highperformr Signals uncover buying intent and give you clear insights to target the right accounts at the right time — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams close more deals, faster.

Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
*Example signal, not calculated in real time

Executive Team of Ad Astra Rocket Company

As of April 2025, Ad Astra Rocket Company' leadership includes:

Dr. Franklin R. Chang Díaz - Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Timothy C. Glover - SVP, Development & Chief Operating Officer
Dr. Jared P. Squire - SVP, Research & Chief Scientist
Mr. Mark D. Kromes - SVP, Finance & Business, Chief Financial Officer
Dr. Andrew V. Ilin - SVP, Engineering
Ms. Shelia C. Chang Diaz - Director & Corporate Secretary

Investors of Ad Astra Rocket Company

Ad Astra Rocket Company has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:

NASA (through various contracts and grants)
Private Equity Investors
Angel Investors
Publicly traded on Costa Rica's Bolsa Nacional de Valores (BNV) via its subsidiary Ad Astra Rocket Company Costa Rica (AARC CR), S.A.

Executive New Hires/Exits in the Last 12 Months

Hire0
Exits0

No major public announcements regarding executive new hires or exits at Ad Astra Rocket Company have been identified in the past 12 months. The core leadership team appears to remain stable.

Technology (Tech Stack) used by Ad Astra Rocket Company

Discover the tools Ad Astra Rocket Company uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.

Ad Astra Rocket Company Email Formats and Examples

Ad Astra Rocket Company likely utilizes common corporate email formats. Based on industry standards for a company of its type, the most probable formats are [first_initial][last] (e.g., jsmith@adastrarocket.com) or [first].[last] (e.g., john.smith@adastrarocket.com).

[first_initial][last]@adastrarocket.com

Format

fchangdiaz@adastrarocket.com

Example

85%

Success rate

News and media

Ad Astra Rocket Company Press ReleaseOctober 25, 2023

Ad Astra Rocket Company news title: NASA AWARDS AD ASTRA NEW TIPPING POINT PROJECT TO ADVANCE VASIMR® ENGINE TECHNOLOGY

Ad Astra Rocket Company announced it has been selected by NASA for a Tipping Point award to further advance the technology readiness of its VASIMR® engine. This project aims to demonstrate extended high-power operation, crucial for future deep space missions....more

Ad Astra Rocket Company Press ReleaseSeptember 12, 2023

Ad Astra Rocket Company news title: AD ASTRA ROCKET COMPANY ACHIEVES MAJOR MILESTONE IN VASIMR® ENGINE ENDURANCE TESTING

Ad Astra announced the successful completion of a significant endurance test milestone for its VASIMR® VX-200SS™ plasma rocket prototype, operating at a power level of 100 kW. This demonstrated the engine's capability for long-duration firing, a key requirement for practical space applications....more

Ad Astra Rocket Company Press ReleaseMay 2, 2023

Ad Astra Rocket Company news title: AD ASTRA AND EARTHRISE TO STUDY NUCLEAR ELECTRIC VASIMR® TUG FOR CISLUNAR TRANSPORTATION

Ad Astra Rocket Company and Earth RIsE announced a collaborative study to explore the application of a VASIMR®-powered, nuclear-electric space tug for efficient transportation and logistics in cislunar space, highlighting potential for supporting lunar economy and exploration....more

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