PHOENIX TEST
FLIGHT CONFIRMED
ON SPACEX MISSION
ATMOS To Become First Private Company in European History to Attempt Space Re-Entry.
Press Release
ATMOS Receives FAA Approval and Aims to Set New Global Standard for Space Return Technology and Payload Efficiency.
- ATMOS to launch its PHOENIX capsule during the Bandwagon-3 rideshare mission with SpaceX no earlier than April 2025.
- The PHOENIX capsule aims to achieve an industry-leading downmass efficiency ratio of 1:2 – ten times above current market standards.
- This mission establishes ATMOS as the first non-governmental European entity to attempt re-entry from space.
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted a positive payload determination for the PHOENIX capsule in January 2025, making ATMOS the first private European company to receive such authorization.
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Lichtenau, Germany – February 5, 2025 – ATMOS Space Cargo (ATMOS), a leading European space logistics startup announces the test flight of its PHOENIX re-entry capsule to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is targeted to launch on the Bandwagon-3 rideshare mission with SpaceX no earlier than April 2025.
The capsule will complete two orbits around Earth before attempting its atmospheric re-entry.
After completing a series of rigorous formal qualifications, ATMOS received a positive payload determination from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in January 2025. This milestone makes ATMOS the first private company in Europe to receive such authorization and the first non-governmental entity in European history to attempt space re-entry.
SpaceX confirmed the implementation of PHOENIX on its upcoming Bandwagon-3 mission.
This testflight of the PHOENIX mission is the first of a planned series of orbital flights designed to refine ATMOS’ groundbreaking technology, ultimately shaping the future of commercial re-entry systems.
FIRST FLIGHT MISSION OBJECTIVES
The primary goal of the PHOENIX 1 prototype’s inaugural flight is to gather critical data on the capsule and its innovative Inflatable Heat Shield. The mission aims to accelerate the development of a versatile and robust re-entry platform for commercial applications.
ATMOS outlines three core objectives for the prototype’s test flight:
1. Collecting in-flight data from the capsule and sub-components in orbit.
2. Gathering scientific data from customer payloads carrying technology demonstrators and biological experiments.
3. Successfully deploying and stabilizing the Inflatable Heat Shield during atmospheric re-entry.
The mission is expected to conclude with the prototype’s demise during re-entry, providing valuable flight data for the next iteration of this platform – the PHOENIX 2 capsule.
PHOENIX INNOVATIVE RE-ENTRY TECHNOLOGY
ATMOS’ PHOENIX return capsule represents cutting-edge innovation in space, designed to transport payloads of various sizes and weights. The initial iteration of the capsule is capable of carrying up to 100 kg. Future versions are planned to handle larger scale orbital supplies of several tonnes, including rocket stages.
The PHOENIX capsule features a pioneering Inflatable Heat Shield, which inflates in orbit to decelerate the spacecraft early during re-entry from orbital speeds (~7800 m/s) all the way down to acceptable speeds for a controlled water landing without parachutes. This shield combines advanced aerodynamics with cutting-edge thermal materials to protect sensitive payloads from extreme heat while maintaining flight stability with low accelerations.
The PHOENIX platform offers the highest payload efficiency on the market of 1:2, significantly enhancing mission capabilities for microgravity exposure ranging from three hours to three months. Its unique payload capacity is reducing existing downmass costs, thereby opening access to microgravity and in-space manufacturing for a wide range of industries and applications. Target customers for this platform include organizations in life sciences, biotechnology, in-space manufacturing, defense, and institutional sectors.
In December 2024, ATMOS already secured a commercial contract for 7 re-entry missions until 2027.
INAUGURAL PAYLOADS
The inaugural testflight will carry four diverse payloads, including biological experiments and technological demonstrations in microgravity. The first payload customers to be communicated are:
- DLR (Germany): German Aerospace Center – Institute of Aerospace Medicine: Developing radiation detectors for space missions. Their M-42 radiation detector will measure the radiation environment during orbit.
- IDDK (Japan): Develops space laboratories for biological and life science experiments, specialized by its patented one-chip microscopic observation technology, Micro Imaging Device (MID).
- FRONTIER SPACE (UK): Developing a modular and scalable ‘lab-in-a-box’ SpaceLab and bioreactor for in-space manufacturing to unlock the growing commercial industrial microgravity sector.
More detailed profiles of payload customers will be released soon.
QUOTES
“Driving advancements for reusable, affordable and reliable downmass is critical to the success of orbital space development. Having the ability to return life sciences and other types of microgravity research, rocket upper stages, military spacecraft and manufactured resources could be the next breakthrough in space transportation.”
Lori Garver, former NASA Deputy Administrator and member of ATMOS advisory board.
“Our first test flight is what the team at ATMOS has been working towards relentlessly. I am proud to lead this mission at such a crucial moment for Europe. Our space industry needs disruptive innovation to compete on a global scale. While all eyes are on this first test flight, we are already developing the next generation of reusable spacecraft, enabling breakthroughs for biomedical research, factories in orbit, and space transportation.”
Sebastian Klaus, CEO and Co-Founder of ATMOS Space Cargo
About ATMOS Space Cargo
ATMOS Space Cargo GmbH develops cutting-edge technology to enable the return of cargo from space. Its services encompass microgravity experiments, commercial payloads and support for spacecraft reusability. ATMOS bridges the gap between Earth and low Earth orbit, driving industrial innovation with sustainable solutions. The PHOENIX capsule represents a groundbreaking platform for Earth-to-Space-to-Earth logistics, designed for a wide variety of applications.
For press inquiries, please contact: press@atmos-space-cargo.com