How to Start Ad Astra: Your First Rocket and Launch Pad

Gather the basics

Before you can leave the Overworld you need steel, which Ad Astra produces by smelting iron in a furnace with the mod's steel-making process. Once you have steel ingots, craft an Engine Frame, a rocket engine (the basic tier uses a Desh or Steel-tier engine depending on your progression), and a rocket nose cone or hull. You also need a Launch Pad block placed on flat ground — the rocket must sit on top of it to be assembled.

Assemble and launch

Place the Launch Pad, then place the rocket parts on top in the correct arrangement (engine at the bottom, fuel tank in the middle, nose cone on top). Right-click the assembled rocket to open its inventory and insert a Fuel Bucket. The rocket will not launch without fuel. Once fueled, right-click again to board, then press the launch key (default is Space while seated) to ignite. You will rise through the atmosphere and a planet-selection screen appears — pick a destination such as the Moon or Mars. Bring oxygen gear, food, and a return fuel supply, because the rocket consumes fuel on both the outbound and return trips.

Before you go

Craft a Space Suit (helmet, chestplate, leggings, boots) and an Oxygen Tank. Without a full suit you will suffocate on airless bodies like the Moon. Pack a Rover if you want to explore the surface quickly.