Ad Astra FAQ

Craft a NASA Workbench, use it to assemble a Tier 1 Rocket and a Launch Pad, then place the pad and rocket down. See our 'How to Start Ad Astra' guide for the full first-rocket walkthrough.

Rockets are assembled in the NASA Workbench from a rocket-nose, rocket-body, rocket-fin, and engine components rather than crafted on a normal table. Higher tiers need better materials and unlock further planets.

Place the rocket on a Launch Pad, fuel it, then right-click the rocket to board and press the launch key. You need a full fuel tank and, for planets without breathable air, a working oxygen setup before you go.

Craft an Oxygen Loader and Oxygen Tank, fill the tank at the loader, and wear it so your suit has air on airless planets. See 'How to Get Oxygen and Survive on Airless Planets' for the full setup.

Fuel is made by refining Fuel Buckets from the mod's fuel fluid, then loading them into the rocket at a Launch Pad or via the rocket's fuel slot. Check our 'How to Fuel Your Rocket' guide for where to get the fluid.

Steel is produced by processing iron in the mod's machinery rather than a vanilla furnace. Our 'How to Get Steel and Other Key Ad Astra Materials' guide covers the exact chain.

Machines run on the mod's energy system, generated by solar panels and other generators, and moved with Cable Ducts. Build a generator, connect it with ducts, and feed your machines.

Rovers are assembled in the NASA Workbench like rockets and deployed on a planet's surface for faster travel. See 'How to Build and Use a Rover for Surface Exploration' for the parts list.

Most planets have no breathable atmosphere, so you need a filled Oxygen Tank and a sealed suit before landing. Temperature and hostile mobs are also lethal — check 'How to Survive Hostile Planets and Dangerous Mobs'.

Ad Astra is designed to work alongside major tech and JEI-style mods, and its machines and dimensions add moderate load. If you see lag, lower render distance on planets and limit the number of loaded machines.