# AST pad (Launchpad) AST pad is a crucial launchpad that connects users to emerging protocols and plays a vital role in Asterisk's non-linear development. Promoting the adoption of new protocols fosters the growth of the ecosystem, ultimately benefiting both Asterisk and its users, the Asteroids, in terms of profitability. ### Sales activities In addition to Asterisk's direct sales activities, projects managed by the launchpad are open to proposals from both project proponents and users alike. If a proposal is successful, the proposer will receive AST/veAST/ETH as a reward. Additionally, to help expand the community of that protocol and enhance its positive flywheel effect, AST/veAST/ETH is airdropped to community users who participate in the project. ### User Launchpad Usage Users stake veAST for a specified period to receive token allocation for the new protocol. After the staking period is over, users can unstake their veAST at any time. ### Protocol Launchpad Usage Please contact Asterisk and join the negotiation table. We will guide you on the required amount of AST Lock. There may be cases where AST Lock is not required or where Asterisk provides incentives to collaborate, so please feel free to inquire. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://asterisk-1.gitbook.io/docs/future/ast-pad-launchpad.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.