Ad astra is a Latin phrase meaning "to the stars". The phrase has origins with Virgil, who wrote in his Aeneid: "sic itur ad astra" ('thus one journeys to the stars') and "opta ardua pennis astra sequi" ('desire to pursue the high[/hard to reach] stars on wings'). Another origin is Seneca the Younger, who wrote in Hercules: "non est ad astra mollis e terris via" ('there is no easy way from the ...

Development and design. The Ra'ad is a joint project developed by Pakistan Air Force's Air Weapons Complex and NESCOM– the civilian defense contractor. The missile's latest version has a range of 600 km. The missile uses stealth technology, has a range of 350 km and is designed to carry conventional or nuclear warheads. As per media reports, the missile has features …