Years after completing their purposes, the GNY-001 Gundam Astraea and the other 2nd generation Gundams were transferred to Fereshte, a shadow support team to the primary Ptolemaios team, and upgraded for their use with the exception of the GNY-004 Gundam Plutone. The Gundam Astraea Type F (the 'F' is a reference to Fereshte) is the upgraded form of Astraea and has a new paint scheme of red with maroon and brown highlights.

With the know-how from developing the 3rd generation Gundams being feedback into the upgrade process, the Gundam Astraea Type F's performance is comparable to the newer Gundams even though it is a 15-year-old machine as the original Astraea was built in AD 2292. The Astraea Type F is also fitted with a removable Sensor Mask that enhance its sensing capabilities and to prevent others from recognizing it as a Gundam. The second role of the Sensor Mask is particularly important, as no one should know there are other Gundams beside the Ptolemaios team's. In line with hiding its Gundam identity, use of GN Particles by the Astraea Type F is also restricted.