View source for Ascension Astro

{{Infobox company
|image = Ascension Astro Galactapedia.png
|name = Ascension Astro
|industry = Spacecraft components
|products = Spacecraft shield generators, spacecraft stealth equipment
|race = Human
|headquarters = [[Terra (planet)|Terra]], [[Terra system|Terra]]
|areaserved = [[United Empire of Earth]]
|keypeople = [[Candace Cowley]] <small>(co-founder)</small>, [[Kaitlyn Barwick]] <small>(co-founder)</small>, [[Tim Kraft]] <small>(co-founder)</small>
|founder = [[Candace Cowley]], [[Kaitlyn Barwick]], [[Tim Kraft]]
|founded = {{Start date and age|2901|sctime=yes}} on [[New York City]], [[Earth]], [[Sol system|Sol]]
|fate = <!-- Fate of the company if defunct -->
|defunct = <!-- Defunct date, use {{Start date and age|sctime=yes|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
|formerly = <!-- Formerly known as, if the company is renamed -->
|predecessor = <!-- Predecessor of the company -->
|successor = <!-- Successor of the company -->
|parent = <!-- Parent company/organization of the company -->
|subsidiaries = <!-- Subsidiaries of the company -->
|galactapediaurl = https://robertsspaceindustries.com/galactapedia/article/R4ZG162l4w-ascension-astro
|portfoliourl = https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/spectrum-dispatch/17081-Portfolio-Ascension-Astro
}}

'''Ascension Astro''' is a [[Human]] spacecraft equipment company that develops and manufactures aftermarket stealth components. It was founded in [[2901]] by a group of friends who had developed a new technique to reduce the infrared and electromagnetic signature of standard ship thrusters. It used to sell only high-end boutique thruster modifications that targets the ultra-wealthy, it has transitioned to the mass over time by mass producing [[thruster]] and [[shield generator]] units.<ref name="portfolio">{{Cite RSI|text=Portfolio - Ascension Astro|int=Comm-Link:Portfolio - Ascension Astro|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/spectrum-dispatch/17081-Portfolio-Ascension-Astro}}</ref><ref name="galactapedia">{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/galactapedia/article/R4ZG162l4w-ascension-astro|text=Galactapedia: Ascension Astro}}</ref>

== History ==
The company was founded in 2901 by the childhood friends [[Kaitlyn Barwick]], [[Candace Cowley]] and [[Tim Kraft]]. Barwick worked for her father's repair shop. She married Kraft and restructured her father's business with the help of Cowley, who worked before in an [[Origin Jumpworks]] dealership. Cowley was fired by Origin after redirecting customers to Barwick's and Kraft's repair shop. The three invented a modification to reduce the [[IR]] and [[EM]] signature of ship thrusters.<ref name="portfolio"/>

== Marketing ==
[[File:Ascension Astro.svg|thumb|250px|Alternative logo]]
Ascension is known for its unconventional marketing strategy. 

Their first storefront was opened in 2901, [[New York]], [[Earth]]. Customers needed an appointment to visit the store. The company underdelivered its high-priced products and avoided direct marketing. Instead, it focused on paid media coverage of Cowley's social interactions with the high-class. A second store was opened on [[Terra system|Terra]] in [[2903]] and Cowley gave a "controversial" interview to the [[Terra Gazette]]. Then she disappeared from the public eye, marking the turning point in the company's strategy.

The production capacity was increased and the appointment-only strategy was dropped. More stores were opened and the company began to run regular ads. Cowley appeared back on screen in 2908.<ref name="portfolio"/>

== In-game description ==
<blockquote>Ascension Astro started off as a boutique specialty company; selling high-end, low IR thrusters to wealthy clients who wanted to fly their luxury ships while avoiding the eyes of greedy pirates. As good as their thrusters were at being low-sig, the effect was often ruined when the engines or shielding made by other manufacturers would be screaming the ship presence. Slowly, Ascension began expanding their line to include a whole suite of components that, when working in conjunction, would provide an extremely low profile and a safer journey.</blockquote>

== References ==
<references />

{{Navplate manufacturers|ASAS}}

[[Category:Vehicle components manufacturers]]