ATMOS CLEARED
FOR EUROPEAN
RE-ENTRY
PORTUGAL GRANTS ATMOS
FIRST COMMERCIAL RE-ENTRY
LICENCE FOR RETURN TO THE
AZORES
Lichtenau
Portugal’s ANACOM issues the first commercial re-entry licence for Mission PHOENIX 2.1 formally authorising the controlled return phase of a commercial spacecraft from Low Earth Orbit to European territory under national jurisdiction.
Lichtenau, Germany and Lisbon, Portugal, 05 March 2026 – Portugal’s National Space Authority (ANACOM) has issued licence ANACOM-09/2026-AE to ATMOS Space Cargo (ATMOS). The unitary licence, adopted by resolution of ANACOM’s Board of Directors on 24 February 2026 under Portugal’s national space law, authorises the return (re-entry) phase of Mission PHOENIX 2.1, with the launch window planned for the second half of 2026.
This licence is the first commercial space re-entry licence granted in Portugal for the controlled return and recovery of a commercial spacecraft to European territory under a national regulatory framework.
The licence covers the return operation of the PHOENIX 2.1 vehicle, including atmospheric re-entry, splashdown and maritime recovery operations conducted by ATMOS within a designated area in the North Atlantic, off the coast of Santa Maria Island in the Azores under Portuguese jurisdiction.
This distinguishes the mission from launcher stage disposal activities and establishes a new operational framework for Europe for the return and recovery of a dedicated commercial spacecraft.
The final launch date, flight profile and recovery parameters remain subject to operational and regulatory coordination. Specific mission timelines and recovery coordinates will be confirmed closer to flight in alignment with applicable maritime and aviation notifications.
Ricardo Conde, President of the Portuguese Space Agency, said:
“Developing national capabilities in space governance is essential for Europe’s autonomy and resilience in both access to and return from orbit. Supporting licenced re-entry operations from Portuguese jurisdiction reinforces Portugal’s role in enabling a European two-way space economy, including research, manufacturing, and other high-value applications that depend on reliable return logistics. With this licence, Portugal becomes the European return gateway from space.”
Marta Oliveira, COO and Co-Founder of ATMOS Space Cargo, said:
“Re-entry is a critical component of European space infrastructure. Securing a European re-entry licence under a national framework is an important step in establishing independent, commercially viable return capacity. This licence represents a substantial step towards Europe’s sovereign two-way space infrastructure. We appreciate the structured and technically rigorous process led by ANACOM and the coordination with the Portuguese Space Agency and national authorities.”
Press Office – Portuguese Space Agency
+351 217 231 017
ocomm@ptspace.pt
Press Contact ATMOS Space Cargo:
Krystian Bandzimiera – Head of Communications
krystian.bandzimiera@atmos-space-cargo.com
https://atmos-space-cargo.com/
About ATMOS Space Cargo
ATMOS Space Cargo is a European space company with facilities in Lichtenau (Germany) and Strasbourg (France), developing lightweight, reusable spacecraft to transport, operate and return cargo of any size from Low Earth Orbit.
PHOENIX is a reusable orbital transfer and return vehicle (OTRV) for autonomous cargo operations. Equipped with an Inflatable Atmospheric Decelerator (IAD) serving as both heat shield and aerodynamic brake, its non-ablative design minimizes material loss and environmental impact while maximizing payload-to-mass efficiency and re-entry control.
By closing the loop of space logistics, ATMOS supports in-orbit manufacturing, advanced materials, and microgravity research, and contributes to building a sustainable and reliable European space infrastructure that enhances access to space and strengthens long-term technological sovereignty.